Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o said on Wednesday that fears by a majority of people to know their HIV and Aids status and the stigma associated with the disease had adversely affected blood donation campaigns.

“People are so afraid of knowing their status that they shun any activity that exposes their blood to tests for the virus,” the minister said.

Prof Nyong’o called on leaders to set an example by getting tested publicly.

He said several hospitals have had to ask patients’ relatives to donate blood to help replenish the blood bank.

Recently, some hospitals, including Nyanza Provincial General Hospital have had to seek blood supplies from outside their provinces to deal with emergency cases.

Others have also put tough conditions for blood transfusion, including the demand that the relatives of the patients donate blood to help replenish the blood bank, if their blood groups are not compatible.

Demand swelled

The minister said he had directed the permanent secretary and the director of Medical services to lay the ground work for a concerted drive to replenish the blood banks.

The post-poll violence put a further strain on the blood bank as demand swelled because of the thousands of people who were hospitalised during the clashes.

Prof Nyong’o, who was meeting his Kisumu Rural constituents emphasised the need for male circumcision.

He rubbished sentiments by a section of Luo leaders against the cut, saying that they needed to realise that culture was dynamic.

“Customs evolve and therefore let us not be dogmatic in matters concerning our own survival. This is an individual choice for better health, not a communal affair,” he said.