Baringo to get a blood center from Maryland University

The County Government of Baringo has partnered with the University of Maryland to create a blood center aimed at addressing the perennial blood shortage facing the region.

Speaking during a funeral of the Alexander Seguton- a blood shortage victim in Kasoyo, Kabarnet, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi attributed the blood shortage in the county to lack of blood banks.

“The current blood situation in hospitals has been caused by the lack of blood banks within the county,” he said.

Blood shortage in Baringo has led to loss of hundreds of lives especially during surgical operations.

The prolonged shortage has also forced the county hospitals to refer patients to facilities with blood banks such as Eldoret and Nakuru.

Baringo Central Member of Parliament Sammy Mwaita on his part requested the Governor to bring to book the culprits who have been stealing medicine from hospitals in the county.

“If you steal medicine, you are depriving someone life,” an annoyed Mwaita said.

His sentiments were in reference to intercepting of a car ferrying stolen drugs from the Barwesa clinic.

“The car intercepted along Kabarnet – Marigat road, was recovered after several hours of tracking by CID officers who had been investigating the matter,” he said

The stickers in the consignment indicated that the medical supplies were meant for Kuikui dispensary in Baringo North.

The drugs and surgical materials had been packed in four cartons and others hidden in jackets before being neatly packed between sacks of charcoal.

The occupants of the vehicle managed to escape but police are in their pursuit.