Samburu County marked a historic milestone on June 14, 2025, by hosting the national celebrations for World Blood Donor Day. The event brought together health leaders, national and county officials, and community members in a collective effort to improve Kenya’s health sector and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
During the event, 500 units of blood were collected, with efforts ongoing to reach a 1,000-unit target. A major highlight was the launch of the Samburu Blood Satellite Centre, aimed at improving local blood collection, storage, and distribution. In addition, a new county-level Digital Health System was unveiled, signaling a significant step toward digitizing Kenya’s healthcare system as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The event also saw the registration of 100 new members to the Social Health Authority (SHA), raising coverage in Samburu County from 14% to 17.5%. This registration drive aligns with national efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In recognition of the vital role played by Community Health Promoters (CHPs), the Ministry of Health acknowledged the work of 1,600 CHPs across 147 units in Samburu. These individuals have been instrumental in promoting primary healthcare, improving disease surveillance at the household level, and facilitating timely referrals. CHPs were urged to further champion SHA and SHIF registration to ensure more Kenyans can benefit from accessible, quality healthcare.
On health sector reforms, the Ministry reaffirmed its focus on improving regulation and service delivery. The ongoing rollout of the Digital Health System is designed to streamline operations, support evidence-based decision-making, and eliminate inefficiencies. The crackdown on unqualified healthcare providers and non-compliant facilities will be intensified to uphold service quality and public trust.
A major reform announced during the event was the implementation of a national track-and-trace system for pharmaceutical products. This system will enhance transparency and ensure the integrity of the medical supply chain by tracking medicines from the point of manufacture to the patient. To support this and other digital health initiatives, more than 74,000 smart devices will be distributed to public health facilities across the country.
The celebrations concluded with the recognition of institutions that have significantly contributed to blood donation efforts, including the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Kenya Red Cross, Pumwani Maternity Hospital, and the people of Samburu.
Parents and caregivers were reminded to ensure timely child immunization, especially in light of the recent arrival of BCG and oral polio vaccines. The event demonstrated the government’s commitment to inclusive, technology-driven healthcare reform and community-centered service delivery.
