Wajir, Kenya| In a decisive and symbolic gesture to confront the escalating blood shortage crisis in Wajir County, First Lady Rukia Abdinassir led by example on Thursday by donating blood at the Wajir Satellite Blood Transfusion Centre.
Her act of solidarity with the county’s vulnerable patients aims to galvanize the public into action during a period where lives hang precariously in the balance.
The County Referral Hospital, the primary health facility serving thousands across Wajir and neighboring regions, is currently facing an acute shortage of blood and blood products.
This dire situation threatens the survival of many vulnerable groups, particularly expectant mothers, accident victims, and Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis) patients who require regular and timely blood transfusions to stay alive.
After making her donation, First Lady Abdinassir delivered a passionate appeal to the residents of Wajir.
“Blood is not manufactured—it can only come from generous individuals willing to give a part of themselves to save another. Today, I call upon every able resident of Wajir to donate blood. Your single act of compassion could mean the difference between life and death for someone’s mother, child, or neighbor,” she urged.
Health officials at the Wajir County Referral Hospital echoed her call, highlighting the importance of community-driven efforts to address the crisis.
They warned that without urgent action, the county could witness preventable fatalities among patients in critical need of transfusions.
The Wajir Satellite Blood Transfusion Centre remains operational from Monday through Saturday, between 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., offering flexible hours to accommodate as many donors as possible.
County health authorities are also encouraging schools, religious institutions, and local organizations to organize community blood drives in collaboration with the center.
The First Lady’s proactive approach has been widely lauded as a crucial step towards creating a culture of voluntary blood donation in the county, where misconceptions and lack of awareness often discourage potential donors.
By stepping forward publicly, she seeks not only to replenish dwindling blood supplies but also to dismantle the stigma surrounding blood donation.
The County Government of Wajir, through an official statement, emphasized the severity of the shortage and issued a heartfelt plea to residents.
“The acute scarcity of blood and blood products is endangering the most vulnerable among us. We urge all healthy individuals to come forward and be the heroes our community desperately needs.”
As Wajir faces this critical challenge, the leadership shown by First Lady Rukia Abdinassir serves as both a beacon of hope and a rallying cry.
In a county where healthcare resources are already stretched thin, every drop of blood donated is not merely an act of charity—it is an act of survival.
With the First Lady setting the pace, the message to Wajirians is clear: it is time to roll up sleeves, open hearts, and save lives—because indeed, every drop counts.
