By Dorothy Musyoka
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today led the nation in commemorating World Blood Donor Day at a colorful ceremony held in Samburu County.
The global event, celebrated annually on June 14, honors the lifesaving contributions of voluntary, unpaid blood donors around the world.
This year’s theme, “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives,” emphasizes the critical role of unity and compassion in strengthening healthcare systems and saving lives.
The event brought together healthcare professionals, government leaders, and members of the public in a unified call to boost blood and plasma donation efforts across the country.
In his keynote address, CS Duale lauded the selfless spirit of Kenya’s blood donors, describingthem as “silent heroes whose generosity gives others a second chance at life.”
He underscored the Ministry’s commitment to building a resilient and accessible blood service infrastructure nationwide.
As part of the celebrations, the Cabinet Secretary officially launched a Satellite Blood Centre at Samburu County Referral Hospital, a milestone that marks a major step toward bridging regional disparities in access to safe blood and blood products.
The centre will significantly boost local capacity for blood collection, storage, testing, and distribution.
“Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has officially commissioned the Samburu Blood Satellite Centre at the Samburu County Referral Hospital, fully equipped with critical blood processing technology,” noted MOH.
In efforts to enhance service delivery, CS Duale also oversaw the rollout of the Digital Health System in Samburu County, aligning with the Ministry’s broader goal of digitizing healthcare services to support the full implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Recognizing blood and its components as essential medical products, the Cabinet Secretary is set to officially launch a Satellite Blood Centre at Samburu County Referral Hospital alongside the county rollout of the Digital Health System,” stated MOH.
The system will streamline patient records, enable real-time data access, and improve coordination across facilities.
The Cabinet Secretary was hosted by Samburu County Governor H.E. Jonathan Lelelit, and joined by key national and county leaders, including Women Representative Ms. Pauline Lenguris, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Social Health Authority CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, and Acting CEO of the Digital Health Agency Mr. Anthony Lenaiyara.
The Ministry of Health continues to invest in innovative solutions and infrastructure that empower communities and enhance equity in healthcare delivery.