Kisumu: Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has announced an urgent blood donation drive at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to assist survivors of a road crash that claimed 25 lives on the Kisumu-Kakamega road on Friday evening. The accident involved a school bus ferrying mourners from Nyahera heading back to Nyakach. Thirty-two survivors are admitted to JOOTRH's Orthopaedic Trauma Ward, many of them in critical condition.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Oluga, speaking at the hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit after visiting the injured, described the tragedy as a national loss. He emphasized the Ministry of Health's commitment to preventing further loss of life and supporting affected families. Dr. Oluga mentioned that the Ministry of Interior has been contacted to assist bereaved families during this difficult time.
The blood drive will commence at Leresian Park within JOOTRH from 9 am today, managed by the hospital's Blood Transfusion Unit, aiming to gather donations from the public. Dr. Oluga praised the hospital's rapid emergency response, noting that all survivors were attended to and admitted to wards within three hours of arrival. A counselling tent and a communication desk have also been set up to support affected families.
Dr. Oluga highlighted that emergency medical teams are collaborating with police to secure personal belongings recovered from the crash site. He expressed the need to move from medical response to providing social support to calm and unite the grieving families.
Local leaders, including Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili, Kisumu West MP Rose Abuyu, Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, and Nyakach MP Aduma Owour, commended JOOTRH's swift and organized response. MP Abuyu pointed out the critical role of medical equipment availability, such as a portable X-ray machine, in saving lives. Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to reassess the design of the Coptic roundabout, a location that has witnessed multiple accidents over the years.