Turkana County Collects 191 Pints of Blood During Medical Laboratory Week
Lodwar, 25 April 2026
Kenya’s second-largest county successfully completed a week-long blood donation campaign, collecting 191 pints from volunteers across its 77,000 square kilometre territory. The initiative, concluding on 24 April 2026, also provided vital health screenings including hepatitis, blood sugar, and haemoglobin tests for hundreds of residents. Held under the theme ‘To Infinity and Beyond for Our Patients’, the drive strengthened blood banks essential for emergency care and maternal health in a region hosting major refugee settlements at Kakuma and Kalobeyei.
Comprehensive Health Screening Initiative
The week-long campaign delivered extensive diagnostic services beyond blood collection, with medical teams screening 164 residents for hepatitis, 301 for blood sugar levels, 205 for haemoglobin, and 116 for blood group testing [1]. These comprehensive health checks provided essential baseline data for residents in a region where access to regular medical screening can be challenging due to geographical constraints. The diagnostic services were coordinated by County Medical Laboratory Coordinator Alice Nataba, who emphasised the pivotal role laboratories play in healthcare delivery through reliable and timely diagnostic services [1].
Strategic Partnerships Drive Success
The initiative’s success stemmed from collaborative efforts between Turkana County Government and key healthcare partners, including the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Namo Hospital, Tumaini Clinic, and Lodwar Hills Hospital [1]. These partnerships proved crucial in extending the reach of the blood donation drive across Turkana’s vast territory, enabling coordinated collection efforts that maximised community participation. The collaboration model demonstrates how public-private partnerships can effectively address healthcare challenges in remote regions with limited infrastructure [1].
Critical Blood Supply for Vulnerable Populations
The blood donation drive addresses acute needs in a region where emergency care and maternal health services require reliable blood supplies [1]. Turkana County’s position as host to Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settlements adds complexity to healthcare demands, as medical facilities serve both local communities and displaced populations [GPT]. The county’s northwestern location and expansive 77,000 square kilometre area make blood supply logistics particularly challenging, making local donation drives essential for maintaining adequate reserves [1].
Building Sustainable Healthcare Infrastructure
County officials emphasised that continued investment and support position the laboratory team to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen medical infrastructure in Kenya’s peripheral counties [1]. The initiative aligns with national health objectives while addressing specific regional challenges posed by Turkana’s geography and demographics. Residents are being encouraged to embrace voluntary blood donation as a civic responsibility that directly contributes to saving lives, establishing a foundation for sustainable community health programmes [1].