The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services has partnered with the Coalition of Blood for Africa (CoBA) for a three days blood drive to collect 3000 units of blood to contribute towards treatment of Post-Partum hemorrhage among Kenyan mothers.
Dubbed ‘Keep Mothers Alive’, the campaign is expected to run in 33 sites across the country from Sunday 7th March- Tuesday 9th March to mark International Women’s Day.
The ‘Keep Mothers Alive’ campaign is supported by the Ministry of Health, Council of Governors and County Governments, CoBA, UNFPA, Kenya Red Cross, AMREF Health, OptionsUK, Bidco Africa, Lwala Community Alliance, Lifebank, Maisha Youth, Pledge 25, LVCT Health, Terumo Cell and Blood Technologies, Global Blood Fund, Ogilvy Africa and Africa Practice.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park gardens, Dr Nduku Kilonzo, Head, Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services, urged members of the public to turn up in large numbers to donate blood, saying blood will be collected in line with COVID 19 protocols.
At least 60 % of all blood collected in Kenya is required for maternal health services.
According to the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, excessive bleeding after childbirth is the leading cause of maternal deaths in the country, accounting for 34% of all maternal deaths in Kenya.