The County Government of Uasin Gishu has rolled out a major blood donation drive to support cancer patients in the region.

The initiative is being held in anticipation of the upcoming Scientific Oncology Chapter, which aims to build capacity at the Eldoret cancer centre, facilitate experience sharing among various counties, and bolster support for cancer patients through blood donations.

Uasin Gishu Clinical Services Chief Officer Dr Joyce Sang emphasized the importance of donating blood as a way of saving lives.

According to Dr Sang, donating blood not only saves a life, but also helps needy patients and serves as a beneficial health exercise for the donor, ultimately boosting blood banks.

She urged the public to join hands in this noble cause, emphasizing that every donation makes a difference in the lives of those battling cancer.

UHA-Life Sciences-a body supporting blood donation at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital-Chief Executive Officer Gerald Lwande on his part reiterated the significance of the blood donation drive in strengthening blood systems.

He emphasized the importance of enhancing access to donated blood, its processing and distribution.

"By ensuring a steady supply of blood, the initiative aims to support cancer patients and other individuals in need of blood transfusions," said Mr Lwande.

At the same time, the devolved unit has rolled out a programme dubbed 'Koti Oral Health Care' which is aimed at benefiting learners in ECDE centres through inculcating good oral hygiene practices at an early age.

Dr Sang noted that through targeted educational programmes and practical initiatives such as the in-school brushing programme, the partnership aims to promote good oral health habits from an early age, ultimately contributing to improved dental health outcomes among the learners, teachers, and parents.

The collaboration is expected to boost oral hygiene through its three(3) times child brushing exercise, (one at school and two at home), allowing children to brush two(2) times a day at home.

In addition, it will improve access to water for learners in schools, through the drilling exercise, a total of two boreholes per sub-County, making it to 12 and also training of nurses on dental care.

The Kenya National Oral Health Survey, indicates that five-year-old children are particularly vulnerable to oral conditions.