Telkom Kenya launches blood drive initiative with Bloodlink Foundation

Telkom Kenya forged a partnership with Bloodlink Foundation to support blood drive initiatives across the country with the aim of addressing the dire shortage in Kenya.

As part of this partnership, Telkom Kenya will be funding a nation-wide blood donation campaign in universities, sponsorship of the World Blood Donor Day on 14th June, the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion’s international conference 24-27th June, as well as its own corporate blood drive which will see Telkom Kenya staff in key offices across the country donate their own blood.

The announcement which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel and was officiated by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Medical Services, Professor James Ole Kiyiapi comes in time for World Blood Donor Day celebrations.

Speaking on behalf of Telkom Kenya, Dominique Saint-Jean, CEO said:

“The shortage of blood in Kenya is a critical issue and I’m very proud that Telkom Kenya can come together with the Bloodlink Foundation to achieve more in addressing this challenge, and in doing so, help save more lives.”

Kenya is currently facing a serious shortfall in the availability of safe blood to meet transfusion needs. Presently, approximately 120,000 units of blood are collected annually while the country’s blood needs have increased to 200,000 units a year meaning a 40% shortfall.

In developing countries, women and children are those most in need of blood – in particular for complications during childbirth and anaemia caused by malaria respectively. More than half a million women die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth – with haemorrhaging accounting for 25% of deaths.

Seventy percent of all blood transfusions in Africa are given to children suffering from severe anaemia due to Malaria which is responsible for about one in five of all childhood deaths across the continent.

Also speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Medical Services, Professor James Ole Kiyiapi commented:

“The launch of the partnership between Telkom Kenya and the Bloodlink Foundation, marks a key milestone in our overarching mission to improve the health of Kenyans so that every man, woman and child across our nation can lead a healthy and productive life. On behalf of the Government, I thank both parties deeply for their commitment to boosting the health of Kenyans.”

The “Donate damu kiasi” marketing campaign supporting the blood drive in 18 private and public universities across the country also features Jua Cali who is the Youth Brand Ambassador for Telkom Kenya’s commercial brand, Orange. The musician who was at the launch of the partnership encouraged the university students to come out in large numbers to support the cause; Jua Cali will help champion the blood donation campaign.