A Busia-based journalist is appealing to friends and well-wishers to donate blood and save his life.
John Ojanji, a reporter with Western Nyota TV, has been down with prostate cancer since early last year.
“I have had a problem of prostate cancer since February last year,” he said, adding that he requires a blood transfusion before undergoing chemotherapy at Kakamega County Referral Hospital.
Ojanji was expected to undergo the chemotherapy procedure on Wednesday, January 29, but failed due to a blood shortage in his body.
He urged well-wishers to support him financially, adding that despite being registered with SHA, he required more support since the cost of medication was so high.
Tanaka Nursing Home Chief Nursing Officer Esther Anzaye noted that there was a shortage of blood across the country, including Busia County.
“I want to urge the local residents to come out and donate blood in order to support patients in various health facilities,” she said.
Anzaya noted that cancer treatment was very costly, and such patients have special needs, some of which are not covered by the Social Health Insurance Fund.
She at the same time urged the government to delocalise blood transfusion services to save more lives.
Ojanji Mudonga, a brother to the patient, said that it took them long to realise that John was suffering from prostate cancer.
Mudonga added that the family has struggled to treat his brother, and they have utilised a lot of family resources in the process.
“I want to thank friends, relatives, and the local journalists who have supported us in the journey,” he said, appealing for more support from other well-wishers.
Busia County Press Club Chairman Joseph Abuje thanked the local journalists for coming out in large numbers to donate blood in Ojanji’s support.
Speaking at Busia Referral Hospital after donating blood, journalists led by Busia County Information Officer Salome Alwanda urged the residents to come out and help to donate blood and save lives.
“We are happy as journalists from Busia to stand with our colleague at a time of need. We are urging everyone to visit hospitals so that they can donate blood and make it a habit so that we can save the lives of many people. As we have witnessed, there is a shortage of blood in Busia. That’s why we are emphasising the call to people to come out and donate blood,” she said.
A Laboratory Technologists at Busia Referral Hospital, Robert Indieka, issued an appeal to the public to come out and donate blood, adding that myths among the communities have been the cause of the low turnout.
“According to the records, there is a shortage of blood both in the county and the country at large. Every 10 minutes, there is someone who needs blood. That’s why we are appealing to the residents to come in large numbers to donate blood. One challenge we have is the myths in our community where people believe that when you donate blood, you become weak, which is not the case,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by the Principal Nursing Officer at the hospital, Charles Oote, who also said that they have turned to the media to help them in sensitising people on the importance of donating blood.
“We have embarked on the use of media to help sensitise people and help them understand the importance of donating blood. Research recommends women donate blood three times a year, while for the male, it is recommended to be done 4 times, and if we observe this, it will help to ensure that we have enough blood,” Oote said.
The journalist who is awaiting a blood transfusion at Tanaka Nursing Home in Busia received support from the local journalists who volunteered to donate blood at the Busia County Blood Transfusion Satellite Centre.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi