A global medical technology leader has established its Africa headquarters in Nairobi, a strategic move aimed at tackling the continent's chronic blood shortages and building a local pipeline of highly skilled technicians.

The launch of Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies' (Terumo BCT) regional hub and training centre comes as Kenya grapples with a severe blood deficit, a challenge that directly impacts patient survival and strains the nation's healthcare ambitions under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.

A Critical Lifeline Under Strain

For years, Kenya has faced a critical gap between blood supply and demand. The country collects approximately 164,000 units of blood annually, which is less than half of the 450,000 to 500,000 units recommended by the World Health Organization. This shortfall has dire consequences, leading to postponed surgeries, preventable deaths in trauma cases, and increased maternal mortality from childbirth complications. Families are often forced to make desperate appeals on social media to find donors for their loved ones.

The problem is compounded by an over-reliance on school-based donation drives, which cease during holidays, and a lack of capacity for component separation—meaning whole blood is often used where only specific components like platelets are needed.

Forging Local Expertise for a Continental Problem

Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood management and cell therapies, aims to address these gaps directly. The new Nairobi facility will serve as a training ground for biomedical engineers, nurses, and blood bank specialists from across Africa. It will provide hands-on training with modern blood-processing technologies, automation systems, and donor-safety equipment.

"By establishing our headquarters and training centre here, we are committing to building local capacity and enabling African clinicians to access world-class blood and cell technology without relying on overseas expertise," noted Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo BCT.

This investment is seen as a significant vote of confidence in Kenya's growing status as a hub for health innovation. Guracha Adi, a director at the Kenya Investment Authority (Invest Kenya), emphasized that the move aligns perfectly with the national agenda. "This investment underscores Kenya’s increasing appeal as a regional hub for advanced medical technologies," he stated, adding that it supports the country's pursuit of Universal Health Coverage.

• The Gap: Kenya needs up to 500,000 units of blood annually but collects less than half that amount.
• The Hub: The Nairobi centre will train healthcare professionals from across Africa in advanced blood management.
• The Goal: To improve blood safety, optimize donations through technology, and strengthen local health systems.

A Timely Boost for Universal Health Coverage

The launch comes as Kenya accelerates its UHC reforms, which include digitizing health records and overhauling medical supply chains. By bringing advanced automation and expertise to the country, Terumo BCT's presence is expected to enhance the efficiency and safety of the national blood supply, a cornerstone of a functioning health system.

As the new centre begins its work, the hope is that it will not only help fill the blood bags in hospital banks but also build a resilient healthcare workforce capable of saving lives for generations to come.