The Ministry of Health is planning to completely include Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the benefits package offered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), which will change how care for patients with this condition is funded and reduce the financial burden on those affected. This policy shift represents a major advancement in tackling a disease that impacts approximately 14,000 newborns in Kenya annually and has been overlooked in national health strategies. Although it is one of the most prevalent inherited blood disorders in the country, SCD care has largely relied on out-of-pocket payments, donor aid, or scattered pilot initiatives. The Ministry of Health states that the objective is to move SCD care from emergency responses to consistent, planned management. At present, SHA covers essential diagnostic laboratory tests for SCD at Sh6,800 per year and offers limited treatment support of about Sh8,000 annually. Under the new coverage, SCD patients will receive assistance with diagnostics, medications, and blood transfusion services—interventions that are crucial for preventing serious complications like stroke, organ damage, and life-threatening infections.“Sickle cell disease remains one of the most significant yet under-acknowledged public health issues in the country, with an estimated 14,000 children born with the condition each year. The government is making SCD a national health priority that requires immediate and well-funded interventions,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.Read: Hope for sickle cell disease patients in new treatment technologyIntegrating SCD into SHA is also expected to help address ongoing shortages of essential medicines such as hydroxyurea and penicillin, which have frequently disrupted care due to inconsistent procurement and limited funding.Hydroxyurea, the main medication prescribed to ease painful crises associated with the disease, costs roughly Sh6,000 per patient each month when given at the standard dose.Managing SCD requires lifelong treatment, which can lead to substantial financial strain over time.Additionally, paludrine, which plays a key role in reducing the risk of malaria—a common concern for SCD patients, has a monthly cost estimated at around Sh1,000.Meanwhile, bone marrow transplantation, considered the only permanent cure for sickle cell disease, is not available in many local healthcare facilities. For families seeking this treatment abroad, particularly in India, the costs can be approximately Sh7 million.Haemoglobin electrophoresis tests, which are vital for diagnosing and managing the condition, previously had costs ranging from Sh11,000 to Sh16,000 in private healthcare settings.Beyond financing, the ministry is implementing broader reforms to improve SCD care across the healthcare system. More than 107,000 community health promoters are being trained to identify, educate, and support SCD patients, focusing on high-burden regions including Nyanza, Western Kenya, and the Coast—areas with higher prevalence linked to malaria-endemic zones.Over 800 healthcare workers have already received specialized SCD training at the facility level. The government is now seeking technical support from the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organisations to enhance this capacity through mentorship programs, clinical exchanges, and access to global best practices.The Ministry is also updating national SCD treatment guidelines to reflect current scientific evidence, expanding newborn screening so that all babies are tested at birth, and establishing a National Sickle Cell Disease Registry. Once operational, the registry is expected to provide accurate national data on patient numbers, disease severity, and regional needs.→ lowoko@ke.nationmedia.comFollow our WhatsApp channel for the latest business and markets updates. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
