Blood Donor Day: How Mama Lucy Hospital ramped up donation, curbed theft

As one walks into Mama Lucy Hospital, they pass the security guards at the gate who inquire about your destination within the facility.

On the right is Nairobi's first blood bank, commissioned in 2021 by the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services. Three years later, the blood bank, painted red, is still operational, as observed by The Eastleigh Voice during a recent visit. As the world marks Blood Donor Day on Friday, June 14, Dr Martin Wafula, CEO of Mama Lucy Hospital, states that the demand for blood in Nairobi is substantial.

Located in Embakasi West, the facility only provides 1,600 units of blood monthly, which is merely 20 per cent of the required amount.

"We face a deficit of around 80 per cent, needing an additional 8,000 units to sustain the population," he said.

Despite this shortfall, Mama Lucy has implemented innovative measures to ensure no patient goes without blood. One such measure, as highlighted by Dr Wafula, is the introduction of autologous blood transfusion.

Autologous donations are blood donations that individuals give for their use – for example, before surgery.

"During surgeries, we estimate a patient would lose around two to four units of blood. Through our equipment, we can collect 60 per cent of the blood lost and auto-transfuse it directly to the patient. If a patient loses four units, we can collect three units and return them to the patient, reducing the burden on our blood supply," Wafula explained.

To increase blood donations, Mama Lucy conducts 16 blood drives monthly.

These drives are held within learning institutions, workplaces, public places, and the city centre to create awareness and encourage more people to donate. To further ensure the facility does not run out of blood, Mama Lucy has a policy that all elective surgery patients must bring a blood donor to ensure sufficient blood for their procedures.

An elective surgery is one that isn't an emergency and can be scheduled in advance. It may be a surgery you choose to have for a better quality of life, but not for a life-threatening condition.

Strategically located in Eastlands, Dr Wafula reveals that blood collected at Mama Lucy serves both public and private hospitals, including neighbouring counties like Kajiado, Kiambu, and Machakos.

Recognising the importance of collaboration, the CEO says that Mama Lucy has encouraged private facilities to participate in blood donation.

"We have joint blood donations with private facilities, encouraging them to send donors. This helps us provide blood units to these facilities as well," Wafula said.

Blood theft

Security measures have been a critical focus at Mama Lucy Hospital to prevent blood theft, which was a significant issue in the past.

Without mentioning specific cases, Wafula said since he assumed the CEO position earlier this year, there have been zero cases of blood theft.

"We have introduced a multi-layered security strategy with CCTV cameras, comprehensive checklists, and standard operational procedures," he explains.

Blood stored at Mama Lucy Hospital. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)

Wafula stated that blood leaving the facility is accompanied by detailed documentation and transported by ambulance, not public vehicles. The hospital has recently purchased a motorcycle for distributing blood units.

"Once the ambulance and motorcycle leave the facility, we record the number of blood units, the name of the patient, and the hospital to which it is being transported. This helps us track the blood units," Wafula added.

The CEO also highlighted the hospital's multi-faceted security strategy.

"We conduct blood counts thrice daily, every seven hours. This ensures we always know the exact number of units in our facility. Right now, Mama Lucy has 150 units of blood. If our records show any discrepancy, someone must account for it," Wafula added.

Additionally, Mama Lucy has three armed police officers at night and four during the day, along with the facility's security firm and its security personnel.

As observed by The Eastleigh Voice, CCTV cameras are strategically placed to cover all critical areas within the hospital.

Mama Lucy's dedication to blood donation has been recognised by the Ministry of Health, which has awarded the hospital a blood screening machine worth Sh15 million, set to arrive in the next few weeks.

"This will eliminate the need to send our blood for screening at Kenyatta National Hospital, reducing turnaround time and further preventing theft," Wafula explains.

Additionally, the hospital has received more laboratory equipment worth Sh103 million from the ministry, including refrigerators, freezers, and centrifuge buckets, to enhance its laboratory work.

On this World Blood Donor Day, the hospital urges Kenyans to come out in large numbers and donate blood.

"We rely on the generosity of blood donors to meet the needs of our community. I urge everyone who is eligible to donate blood. Your donation can save lives and make a huge difference in our ability to provide timely and effective care to those in need," Wafula added.