Every 10 minutes, there are at least 10 Kenyans in need of blood. This basically means without sufficient blood, a majority of these Kenyans might be at a higher risk of losing their lives.
Over the years, the country’s blood banks have always been replenished by selfless Kenyans who come out to regularly and voluntarily donate their blood. It is these donations that keep alive patients in need of blood.
One such individual is Job Macharia, a businessman in Uasin Gishu.
Macharia is not just any other blood donor – he is the current highest blood donor in Kenya.
He first donated blood in 1989, and since, then he has never missed donating when his term comes.
To date, Macharia has donated blood 136 times.
“I have about 34 years donating blood,” he tells Uasin Gishu News.
He adds “The first time I donated is when I met somebody who was in need of blood. I donated to save her and since then, I donate after every three months.”
A man can donate blood after every three months while for a lady it is after four months.
No effects when donating blood
There have been many myths and misconceptions about blood donation – among them claims that it is dangerous.
But for Macharia, for the 34 years he had donated blood, on no single occasion has he ever witnessed any side effects.
“For the years I have been donating blood, I have never seen any problem. I have done it for 34 years. My life is okay. I am healthy. Anyone fearing the effects that will come of blood donation should know it is merely a myth. It’s good to donate blood to save a life,” the businessman says.
This is perhaps a clear confirmation that donating blood has no effects on your health. In fact, that blood ends up saving lives.
Experts say one unit of blood can save up to four lives at the same time. In addition, just 3 teaspoonfuls of your blood are enough to save the life of a premature baby.
“One unit of blood can be shared by four patients – we have plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets,” notes Nick Kiptanui, a technical lead at the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority.
Plasma is commonly given to trauma, burn and shock patients, as well as people with severe liver disease or multiple clotting factor deficiencies.
On the other hand, a patient suffering from an iron deficiency or anaemia may receive a red blood cell transfusion. This type of transfusion increases a patient’s haemoglobin and iron levels.
Moreover, platelets are used to treat or prevent bleeding in patients especially those with thrombocytopenia or platelet function disorder.
No harm in donating blood
Kiptanui further affirms that there is no harm in donating blood. On the contrary, it has more benefits to the donor’s health, aside from the fact that the blood will save a life.
“There is no harm when you’re donating blood. In fact, you’re making your borne marrows work well as they will manufacture new blood and replace the donated one,” Kiptanui says.
He further expresses the need for Kenyans to heed calls for blood donation.
“Blood is very important. When you donate, it makes us have sufficient blood,” notes the blood specialist.
The country depends on voluntary blood donations to replenish its blood banks.
According to the World Bank, in 2020, only 16% of the 1 million units of blood needed in the country were collected.
Data from the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority indicates that about 520,000 units of blood are needed annually against the 300,000 that are collected.
As he asks other Kenyans to be part of those that ensure no blood shortage hits the county, Macharia says he still has many years of being a donor.
At 54, he still has at least 11 more years to donate blood.
“I will keep donating until that day they will tell me I am no longer eligible,” notes Macharia.
In Kenya, for one to be eligible to donate blood, he/she must weigh over 50 kilograms, be in the age bracket of 16-65 years, have a Haemoglobin (HB) concentration of 12.5gm per decilitre and have normal blood pressure.
Currently, there are 49 blood donation centres across the country that you can walk in and be part of those saving lives.
