Blood transfusion services in Kenya are facing an unprecedented crisis as the World Bank’s Sh2.7 billion financial support comes to an abrupt end. This withdrawal has left the sector struggling to stay afloat, with officials expressing grave concerns about the future of these vital services. Without alternative funding, there are fears that the entire blood transfusion system in Kenya could collapse, leading to devastating consequences for patients in need of life-saving blood.
The Ministry of Health has been vocal about the serious consequences of the funding gap, which has been caused by the conclusion of the World Bank’s support program, which was initially intended to run through March 2025. This financial assistance had been crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of Kenya’s blood transfusion services, covering essential components such as blood collection, testing for infectious diseases, blood component processing, and the digitalization of the blood management system. The cessation of this support has left the Ministry scrambling to find a replacement, with no immediate solution in sight.
In a report titled the “Impact of the United States Government Stop Work Order,” the Ministry revealed the scale of the crisis, noting that more than Sh2.7 billion is urgently needed to avert the collapse of blood transfusion services in Kenya. The report underscores how this gap in funding has the potential to cause severe disruptions to blood collection and distribution systems, with far-reaching implications for healthcare services in the country.
The timing of this funding cut is particularly concerning, as it follows a broader shift in US foreign assistance programs. In January 2020, a decision by the US government to withdraw Sh2 billion in annual support for Kenya’s blood services further exacerbated the financial challenges faced by the country. While the US continued to fund the Damu KE digital blood donation management system, this support was also withdrawn last month, leaving Kenya without the resources necessary to maintain and manage this vital system. The Ministry of Health has warned that this sudden loss of funding for the system’s upkeep could compromise services that rely heavily on data and reporting, which are crucial for making informed decisions about blood donations.
The financial challenges are compounded by the recent passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2025, which did not allocate any direct funding to the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority. This body is responsible for overseeing blood transfusion services in the country, and the lack of financial support for it further threatens the stability of the blood supply chain.
Kenya has long faced challenges with blood shortages, and the situation has become even more dire in recent years. The country has consistently struggled to meet the demand for blood, with stocks often running dangerously low. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya collected an average of 450 units of blood daily. However, these numbers have significantly dropped to between 120 and 140 units per day in the post-pandemic era. This is far below the country’s annual requirement of between 500,000 and one million units. In reality, Kenya currently only manages to collect between 150,000 and 200,000 units per year, which leaves a substantial gap between supply and demand.
Health experts and stakeholders have called on the government to prioritize blood transfusion services, warning that without urgent intervention, the country could face a full-blown health crisis. The sudden cessation of funding and the chronic shortage of blood supplies put millions of lives at risk. If immediate measures are not taken to secure alternative funding and improve the blood collection system, the future of blood transfusion services in Kenya looks increasingly uncertain.
