KENYA— With Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) considered a silent epidemic that affects several regions in Kenya, particularly the Western, Nyanza, and Coastal regions, and affecting 17 counties, the projected health budget cuts have raised concerns about its management.
Surprisingly, without comprehensive newborn screening and access to effective treatment, an estimated 50-90% of individuals born with the illness die untreated before reaching their fifth birthday in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the Sickle Cell Diseases Afya Dhabiti Project, a landmark initiative formed by the Kenyan Ministry of Health in collaboration with Novartis and other key stakeholders, the cost of Hydroxyurea, a vital medicine for sickle cell disease, places a significant financial burden on those battling the condition.
With these critical facts in play, the Ministry of Health’s lowered allocation of only Sh127 billion for the 2024-25 fiscal year—a fall of more than Sh11 billion from the previous allocation—has aroused widespread concern among health advocates and professionals.
The Nguvu Change organization, directed by Arnold Osano, has been a crucial force in lobbying for sufficient funding in the fight against this condition, with the Kenyan Ministry of Health indicating in its September 2023 report that roughly 14,000 infants are born with sickle cell disease each year.
These figures underscore the urgent need for sufficient funding to manage this disease effectively.
SCD is a genetic blood disorder that can lead to severe complications and requires timely and effective management to prevent long-term health issues and fatalities
Speaking during the commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day, Osano emphasized the declining healthcare budget and the growing demand for a stronger public health system in Kenya.
Through his online petition, ‘Give Kenyans Quality and Affordable Healthcare Services,’ Arnold Osano highlighted the critical need to prioritize resource allocation towards improving preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare services in Kenya.
He noted that Kenya’s healthcare system faces significant challenges in managing diseases like SCD.
Primary healthcare facilities often lack the necessary resources for appropriate treatment, leading to late diagnoses and hindering timely management.
This delay not only exacerbates the suffering of patients but also increases the overall cost of healthcare due to the need for more intensive treatments at advanced stages of the disease.
Furthermore, healthcare providers frequently lack the necessary skills and knowledge to diagnose and manage such diseases effectively, resulting in suboptimal care.
The high cost of treatment places a heavy financial burden on patients and their families, many of whom are already struggling with limited financial resources.
This financial strain often forces families to make difficult choices between healthcare and other essential needs, further complicating the situation.
Osano had hoped that the health budget would focus on strengthening the system, but instead, the allocation was slashed—a real irony, given the urgent needs.
In his statement, Osano urged the National and County Government Departments of Public Health and Sanitation to ensure effective allocation of medical resources.
He finished by calling for legislative involvement to guarantee the constructive use of these resources, the implementation of management and containment strategies for communicable disease outbreaks, and the strengthening of public health systems to restore public trust
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