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{
    "id": 1081802,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1081802/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 293,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dagoretti South, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Kiarie",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13322,
        "legal_name": "John Kiarie Waweru",
        "slug": "john-kiarie-waweru"
    },
    "content": "blood and even prepare blood products without regard to a proper legislation. This Bill is giving that much needed legislative framework. As we discuss this, the elephant in the room, as was raised by the much esteemed Hon. (Dr.) Eseli, is the issue of whether we should be having a stand-alone legislation on blood transfusion or whether we should bring it together as part of the organs and tissue legislation. However, I would like to say that even when the public participation was being conducted by the Committee, the issue of organs and tissues transfer was addressed. That is why the amendments that the ministry brought were dropped. The Health Act, as it exists today, does give provision for the CS to attend to matters organs and tissues. There is a crisis in this country. There is dire shortage of blood in this country and that has also led to criminal activities. Quacks trade in blood. In Clause 8 of this Bill, which is on penalties and offences, trading in blood has been outrightly criminalised. It will now be a criminal enterprise for anyone to collect and transfuse blood, or prepare anything without the necessary clearances. The issues that we are dealing with are critical. I have been hearing figures being mentioned here. Hon. Dennitah mentioned a figure, Hon. Abdullswamad mentioned another figure. I would like to mention with authority that last year, we were able to get 93,000 units of blood against a target of over 500,000 units. Meaning, that the shortage is real. If we do not manage blood transfusion in this country, we shall be living on a deficiency that will occasion a disaster at a time when blood is needed in bulk in case of an emergency or otherwise. The blood transfusion space today is manned to the tune of 145 individuals against over 800 people who are needed to be able to conduct proper blood transfusion services. Today, if you needed blood, it can only be sourced from volunteers. Anyone who wants to donate blood can only volunteer. With this Bill we bring a framework as to how we move blood donation from voluntary to a place where it is structured, in such a way that we can be able to meet the target that we need. In this body that is called the blood transfusion services, there has been a big turnover of CEO’s. Meaning, that there has been lack of visioning, there has been lack of strategic planning, there has been low morale among the staff and that is why it is important that we build this body corporate by the name of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services."
}