The HIV/AIDS epidemic has greatly affected Kenya's blood supply. Over the years, the country has seen a decreasing trend in the number of blood units collected annually, while the number of blood units needed continues its steady rise.

The Kenyan Ministry of Health's National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has developed a strategy to gain a broader constituency of blood donors to meet the increasing demand for blood.

The National Strategy on Blood Donor Mobilisation report outlines the government's plan to find more blood donors by focusing on five areas:

• raising public awareness and motivation for blood donation
• mobilising target groups
• mobilising partner organisations
• developing a recognised, credible, autonomous, and self-sustaining NBTS
• strengthening institutional infrastructure and service delivery capacity