Health Caninet Secretary Aden Duale has denied reports alleging that the Ministry of Health exports blood donated by Kenyans to other countries.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 6, Duale stated that the report by the World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS), which revealed the exportation of human and animal blood products from Kenya, was grossly misinterpreted.
He stated that the 'Human and animal blood' category is a universal trade classification which includes, among other substances: vaccines, toxins, antisera and other blood-derived products, microbial cultures and similar products.
"This classification is a broad customs category covering a wide range of pharmaceuticals. laboratory. diagnostic, research, and biological products. Importantly, this classification does not include donated blood collected for transfusion services.
"The Ministry of Health does not export any donated blood or components of blood for purposes of manufacturing blood-derived products in a foreign country, the statement read in part.
However, Duale disclosed that Kenya imported some blood products used within the country, but from internationally accredited manufacturers.
These include antisera, which are used in blood grouping and laboratory diagnostic or plasma-derived products, and products such as clotting factors, albumin, and immunoglobulins.
