We are all able to breathe and function normally because of the blood that flows in our veins supplying oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. At times an individual might need blood urgently, a shockingly common occurrence in Kenya. “Seven people require a blood transfusion every 10 minutes in the country,” The World Bank reports.

The country severely suffers from a blood shortage supply with the World Health Organization reporting that “Kenya needs close to one million units of blood every year.” However, this target is rarely achieved, with the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) collecting approximately 30% of the optimal target.“Damu Sasa” an innovative end-to-end blood services information management system that supports blood sourcing, inventory, and transfusion management has partnered up with the University of Nairobi to tackle Blood Management Problems in Kenya by conducting research on blood services management and technology in the country.

The study, which is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada with Villgro Africa as the administering agency, will focus on understanding the blood services ecosystem in Kenya, ways in which blood donations can be enhanced, and how technology can be utilized to improve the situation.

The study is expected to benefit the healthcare industry with insights that could lead to innovative practices to boost blood donations and entrench a regular and voluntary donation culture. It will be carried out in the 47 counties, and target public, private, and mission-managed healthcare transfusion facilities, as well as the Kenyan public.