By KPC Reporter
Over sixty Kisumu journalists donated blood at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to commemorate World Press Freedom Day.
The initiative, organized by the Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN) with assistance from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), showed a transition from covering crises to actively responding to them under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace.”
According to KJN Chairperson Rushdie Oudia, the initiative demonstrates the importance of journalism that does more than just tell stories.
“Contemporary journalism should not only expose societal problems but also contribute to solving them,” he stated, pointing out that reporters frequently arrive first at accident scenes and see the urgent need for blood.
The hospital administration welcomed the donations, noting they arrive during a period of increasing demand.
CEO Dr. Joshua Okise explained that blood remains essential for treatment, particularly for patients with Sickle Cell Disease, and for complex procedures such as apheresis, which might require up to 10 pints per patient.
The facility is expanding its blood transfusion unit to meet the growing demand.
Head of Corporate Communications Lorraine Opondo highlighted the media’s complementary role in saving lives through accurate information.
“While medicine heals patients, information heals communities,” she said, encouraging journalists to help eliminate misinformation that can compromise public health initiatives.
Hospital management also reiterated their welcoming stance, prompting journalists to continue their watchdog responsibilities.
“Public health depends on public trust… your oversight improves our institution,” the administration stated.
The event concluded with a tree-planting activity in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service, supporting the national objective of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Together with the Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA), KJN showed that the influence of journalism extends beyond reporting to real community impact.