The government has launched the Northern Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Garissa County as part of efforts to expand access to safe blood services across North Eastern Kenya and neighbouring regions. The facility is expected to process more than 40,000 units of blood annually and will provide screening, storage and transfusion services to residents of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, and parts of Isiolo and Kitui counties.
Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Bare Duale officially launched the centre on Sunday during the 2026 World Blood Donor Day commemorations held at Garissa County Referral Hospital. During the event, he also unveiled guidelines on the appropriate use of blood, blood components and blood products, alongside health officials and development partners involved in blood service delivery.
Duale said the new facility would eliminate the need to transport blood samples to Nairobi for screening and processing, a practice that has often delayed urgent transfusion services. He noted that the centre will enable health facilities in the region to respond more quickly to emergencies involving severe blood loss, including childbirth complications, road accidents and medical procedures requiring transfusion support.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the centre forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the region’s healthcare system by bringing essential services closer to the people. Serving several counties, it is expected to significantly improve access to safe blood and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
He added that local screening and storage capacity would transform the management of blood services in the region by reducing delays associated with transporting samples over long distances. The investment, he said, is aimed at improving outcomes for patients who depend on timely transfusions for both emergency and routine care.
“This landmark facility is a major boost to healthcare delivery in North Eastern Kenya, bringing safe and timely blood transfusion services closer to the people of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River and parts of Isiolo and Kitui counties,” he said.
The centre has been equipped with modern screening technology and expanded storage systems capable of supporting the processing of more than 40,000 units of blood each year.
Health officials say the increased capacity will strengthen emergency preparedness and help maintain adequate blood supplies across county referral hospitals and other health facilities in the region.
Duale also confirmed that the establishment of the facility was made possible through a joint investment of approximately Sh100 million from development partners, describing it as a demonstration of collective commitment to improving access to quality healthcare in underserved areas.
“I commend our development partners for their invaluable support in the establishment of this facility through a joint investment of approximately Sh100 million, demonstrating our shared commitment to equitable access to quality healthcare,” he noted.
In addition to launching the transfusion centre, the Cabinet Secretary flagged off seven obstetric theatre beds donated through support from the World Health Organisation. The beds are part of a larger consignment of 108 units that will be distributed across 15 counties to strengthen emergency obstetric care and maternal health services.
He said the combined interventions are intended to improve maternal health and emergency response systems in county hospitals by increasing the availability of essential equipment and ensuring that critical services such as blood transfusions and emergency surgeries can be delivered closer to patients.
