Terumo, a leading blood technology firm, has established its African headquarters and training center in Nairobi, Kenya. This strategic move is set to revolutionize blood management in the region.
The inauguration was marked by a series of high-level meetings, attended by key figures including Guracha Adi, director at the Kenya Investment Authority (Invest Kenya), Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo BCT, and Toshiaki Takagi, chairman of the Terumo Corporation. These meetings focused on accelerating progress in blood safety, sickle cell disease management, and overall health system strengthening.
Terumo BCT's new facility is designed to enhance local proficiency in blood processing, apheresis, and other advanced technologies. This is particularly crucial in Kenya, where the national blood supply falls short of demand, estimated at 500,000 units annually based on World Health Organization guidelines. Automation, improved processing, and enhanced technical capacity are key to bridging this gap.
The training center will offer hands-on training and education for clinicians, laboratory technologists, and biomedical engineers. Participants will gain practical skills in technology operation, quality management, and maintenance practices for Terumo BCT's cutting-edge technologies. This investment in local capabilities reflects Terumo's long-term commitment to Kenya and the region, fostering stronger, more resilient health systems.
Terumo BCT's customers include blood centers, hospitals, therapeutic apheresis clinics, cell collection and processing organizations, researchers, and private medical practices. Their products and technologies are already used in over 160 countries worldwide, solidifying their position as a global leader in blood management.
The establishment of the African headquarters in Nairobi is a significant step towards modernizing national transfusion services in Kenya. It aligns with the country's agenda to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, enhance blood management systems, and work towards Universal Health Coverage. Guracha Adi, director at Invest Kenya, emphasized the facility's potential to elevate technical expertise across the region, making Kenya a regional hub for advanced medical technologies and capacity building.
