Kenyan Nurse Khadija Mohamed recognised for life-saving blood donation Innovation

Kenyan Nurse Khadija Mohamed recognised for Life-Saving Blood donation Innovation
Kenyan nurse and blood donation advocate Khadija Mohamed Juma received a rousing welcome back home this week after securing the runner-up position in the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, held in Dubai.

The award, which celebrates exceptional contributions in the nursing profession worldwide, drew over 100,000 nominations from 199 countries. Khadija was one of only 10 finalists to make it to the global stage, earning recognition for her transformative work in improving access to safe blood in Kenya.

The top prize of $250,000 was awarded to Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an Oncology Nurse Specialist from Ghana’s Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, whose work in cancer care earned global acclaim.

Despite not taking the top award, Khadija’s recognition marks a historic moment for Kenya and highlights the critical role of community-based healthcare solutions in addressing systemic challenges across Africa.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswammad Sharrif Nassir praised Khadija for her impact, stating:

“Her journey is a testament to the power of community-rooted healthcare, resilience, and compassion. Khadija remains our undisputed champion. You’ve made Mombasa, Kenya, and Africa proud.”

At just 29 years old, Khadija serves as a nurse at Tudor Sub-County Hospital in Mombasa. She is also the visionary behind RedSplash, an initiative that leverages technology to tackle one of Kenya’s persistent healthcare challenges—timely access to safe blood. Through RedSplash’s Smart Donor Search algorithm, the platform connects patients with willing donors in real-time, significantly reducing delays and dependence on informal and unsafe blood supply networks.

Her mission was born from personal tragedy—the preventable death of a friend’s mother due to delayed blood transfusion. That loss catalyzed Khadija’s commitment to reform Kenya’s blood donation landscape. Since then, she has organized over 500 donation drives, mobilized schools, mosques, and communities, and helped collect more than 25,000 units of blood—a lifesaving contribution for an estimated 75,000 people.

Khadija’s innovation has not only disrupted the informal blood market but also shifted public perception around voluntary donation. Her motto—”Deliver blood faster than pizza”—embodies her bold vision to scale RedSplash’s impact nationwide. Plans are underway to launch Kenya’s first RedSplash Blood Bank and mobile units, which could redefine emergency medical response in underserved areas.

Why Her Work Matters

Khadija’s recognition underscores the growing importance of African-led healthcare innovation in tackling local health challenges. Her story is part of a broader narrative that showcases the potential of grassroots leadership, digital innovation, and public health entrepreneurship in transforming healthcare delivery—especially in contexts where systemic gaps persist.

It also highlights a persistent issue: the chronic shortage of safe blood in Kenya. The World Health Organization recommends that countries maintain a stockpile of 10–20 units of blood per 1,000 people. Kenya consistently falls short of this benchmark, often relying on emergency family donations or, worse, the black market. Solutions like RedSplash have the potential to reshape healthcare equity and save thousands of lives annually.

Khadija’s story is not only inspirational and impactful, but is also a good demonstration of what is possible when healthcare workers lead with innovation, empathy, and purpose.