By Asha Bekidusa
What began as a personal mission following the tragic death of a friend’s mother due to delayed blood transfusions has turned into a lifesaving movement led by Khadija Mohamed Juma, a 29-year-old nurse from Mombasa, Kenya.
Khadija, who works at Tudor Sub County Hospital, has been named among 10 global finalists for the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025.
She was selected from over 100,000 nominations spanning 199 countries, a testament to her extraordinary impact on healthcare in her community.
In addition to her nursing duties, which include immunizations for children and women, Khadija is the founder of Red Splash, a tech-enabled platform that is transforming access to blood donation in Kenya’s coastal region.
Her work particularly supports pregnant women, children, and patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer and sickle cell disease.
“I know this blood helps our community, especially children and everyone in general, and that makes me happy,” she says.
Over the past five years, Khadija has led more than 500 blood donation drives across the country, collecting over 25,000 blood units and helping save an estimated 75,000 lives.
Her innovation connects donors with patients in real time and has mobilized over 500 volunteers.
It is also helping to break cultural taboos around blood donation in conservative communities in the Coast.
Her groundbreaking efforts have earned her international recognition, including being honored by the Commonwealth Youth Awards and featured in major global media outlets.
Her work stands at the intersection of healthcare innovation and community empowerment.
The winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, now in its fourth edition, will be announced at a ceremony in Dubai on May 26, 2025.
The top prize includes a cash award of USD 250,000.
Khadija joins a distinguished list of finalists from around the world, including: Catherine Maree Holliday (Switzerland), Edith Namba (Papua New Guinea), Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho (UAE), Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre (Hong Kong SAR), Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga (USA), Maheswari Jaganathan (Malaysia), Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti (Ghana), Dr. Sukhpal Kaur (India), and Vibhaben Gunvantbhai Salaliya (India).
The finalists were selected through an independent process led by Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and evaluated by an international Grand Jury and Expert Panel.
Khadija’s story is one of courage, innovation and compassion, which is a powerful reminder of how one person’s determination can spark lasting change in healthcare delivery.
