The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS), in response to public concerns, has directed citizens to report any hospitals charging blood screening and blood transfusion services.
According to the national board, these services are borne by the Ministry of Health (MoH), the State-owned unit, hence requiring hospitals to screen blood and deliver it to hospitals for free.
“Everyone is encouraged to document any case where they were charged for blood and present to us for action. Charges incurred when Blood is screened, processed and stored are absorbed by MoH hence all hospitals receive it for free,” the transfusion service said on Monday.
The agency dispatches screened blood from its six Regional Blood Transfusion Centres (RBTCs) in Nairobi, Mombasa, Embu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Kisumu ready for transfusion.
“Functionally all the six RBTCs carry out blood collections, testing, grouping, storage and distribution while satellites carry out blood collection and send samples to RBTCs for testing,” the agency said.
KNBTS also has twenty-one satellite centers in Voi, Machakos, Kisii, Meru, Naivasha, Busia, Siaya, Kericho, Nyeri, Garissa, Malindi, Thika, Lodwar, Bungoma, Kitale, Kwale, Nandi, Kitui, Narok, Lamu, Wajir and Migori.
The statement by the blood transfusion service came amid concerns by members of the public over exorbitant prices charged by hospitals for transfusion services despite Kenyans heeding to frequent blood donation appeals.