Former Red Cross boss Abass Gullet gets State job
By Patrick Mwangi
The long-awaited reconstruction of the dysfunctional blood donor services in the country has started in earnest.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has gazetted members of the National Advisory Committee that will advise and oversee the supply and utilisation of blood and blood products.
The team has been given a one-year mandate.
The committee, whose chairman is former secretary general of the Kenya Red Cross Society, Abass Gullet, will provide leadership in designing and implementing cost-effective blood utilisation management initiatives.
The CS inaugurated the board at a meeting in his Afya House office yesterday.
Further, the legislation meant to regulate blood donor services is finally in Parliament.
The advisory committee is made up of Dr Peter Shikuku Kibet, Dr Elizabeth Wala, Bharat Thakrar, Dr Patricia Murugami, Prof Bitange Ndemo, and Joseph Wangendo.
The joint secretaries to the committee are Dr Thuranira Kaugiria, Kiprono Chepkok, and Charles Rombo.
The most immediate task that awaits the team is addressing a shortage of blood in the country.
For decades, Kenya has failed to collect enough blood to meet its requirements, and has always fallen far short of WHO recommendations on the same.
