NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1-Kenya is stepping up efforts to detect sickle cell disease in infants as the government seeks to close gaps in diagnosis and treatment for an estimated 250,000…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1-Kenya is stepping up efforts to detect sickle cell disease in infants as the government seeks to close gaps in diagnosis and treatment for an estimated 250,000 people living with the condition across the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said universal infant screening, reliable access to treatment and stronger referral systems will be critical to ensuring children born with sickle cell disease receive care early enough to improve their quality and length of life.
About 14,000 children affected by sickle cell disease are born in Kenya each year, according to the Ministry of Health.
Speaking in Nairobi during the opening of the three-day Global Sickle Cell Disease Conference, Duale said the government was expanding screening, strengthening comprehensive care and training health workers to support early diagnosis and continuity of treatment.
“Kenya’s ambition must go beyond survival; every person living with sickle cell disease must thrive,” Duale said.
The conference, organised by the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations (GASCDO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Sickle Cell Federation of Kenya, is bringing together stakeholders to assess progress and address gaps in sickle cell care.
Duale said the burden of the disease was particularly high in the Lake Victoria region, Western Kenya and the Coast, but warned that sickle cell disease had become a national health and equity concern.
He said access to quality care should not be determined by a child’s place of birth or the ability of their family to pay.
Kenya has incorporated sickle cell screening into its broader maternal and child health programmes following the 2023 infant screening policy.
The policy has also been incorporated into the Mother and Child Health Booklet.
The Health CS said screening is currently being implemented in 10 counties, with more than 8,000 infants reached so far.
The government is also expanding comprehensive sickle cell care through initiatives including the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Centre of Excellence, the Kianda Level 4 primary care model, PEN-Plus, KETAN and IMARA Care.
More than 1,000 health workers and 700 Community Health Promoters have received training as part of efforts to strengthen the health system’s capacity to identify and manage the disease.
Duale said the experiences shared by people living with sickle cell disease during the conference demonstrated the importance of early diagnosis and consistent treatment.
“The testimonies of sickle cell warriors were a powerful reminder that early detection and consistent care can transform lives,” he said.
The government is now pushing for a broader national response that includes establishing a national sickle cell disease registry, ensuring reliable access to medicines and diagnostics, improving availability of safe blood and strengthening referral systems.
Duale also called for increased investment in research and sustainable financing for sickle cell programmes.
The measures are intended to move Kenya’s response beyond managing complications and improving survival to ensuring people living with sickle cell disease can lead longer, healthier and fulfilling lives.
“Our goal must be to move beyond survival and ensure that every person living with sickle cell disease can live a long, healthy and fulfilling life, wherever they are in Kenya,” Duale said.
The conference is being held under the theme*, “Global Standards, Local Impact: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Across Systems and Communities.”*
