The fight against sickle cell disease in Nyanza region received a major boost after Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) unveiled an advanced treatment procedure known as apheresis, which allows red blood cell exchange for patients living with the condition.
Speaking at the launch held at JOOTRH’s Victoria Annex on Monday, Acting CEO Joshua Okise said the initiative marks a significant milestone in improving the survival and quality of life for sickle cell patients in the region.
“We have collaborated with Nairobi West Hospital to ensure that this treatment is available here. The equipment we are using has been provided through this partnership, and it will go a long way in reducing the number of children and adults suffering from sickle cell disease in Nyanza,” Okise said.
He noted that without medical intervention, up to 90 percent of children born with sickle cell disease die before their fifth birthday. The new treatment, he said, will greatly enhance life expectancy. Okise further revealed that JOOTRH has set aside Ksh100 million to establish a dedicated haematology centre, with additional support promised by the national government and partners.
Nairobi West Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Prakash Saini underscored the urgency of intervention, citing alarming statistics.
“In Kisumu, 2–3 percent of children are born with sickle cell disease, and every year nearly 14,000 children die from the condition without treatment. Apheresis technology replaces sickled red blood cells with healthy ones, reducing complications and extending survival. Without such treatment, life expectancy rarely goes beyond 30 years,” Dr. Saini said.
He added that sickle cell complications such as stroke and recurrent crises can now be minimized through this procedure, offering patients a better quality of life.
Nairobi West Hospital is currently the only facility in East Africa offering bone marrow transplant services, with 23 successful transplants carried out so far, achieving a 100 percent survival rate.
