Kisumu: A coalition of lobby groups, caregivers, and people living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) has petitioned the Kisumu County Assembly to declare the condition a public health emergency and to urgently integrate its management into the county's health policies and annual development planning.
According to Kenya News Agency, the stakeholders outlined a comprehensive set of demands to address what they described as a 'silent killer', a manageable condition that continues to rob families of children, breadwinners, and hope due to lack of timely interventions. Recent data cited in the memorandum indicates that approximately two out of every hundred children born in Kisumu County have SCD, while twenty-one percent carry the sickle cell trait.
Studies conducted at Kisumu County Referral Hospital reveal a 13.9 percent prevalence of the trait among newborns, figures that stakeholders argue should serve as a wake-up call to the county government. The data also indicates that nearly half of the estimated 480 children born annually with SCD in Kisumu do not live to see their fifth birthday. Many endure frequent and excruciating health crises that often demand emergency care, which remains largely unavailable in most public health facilities in the county.
The petitioners expressed frustration that many families are forced to seek treatment in neighboring counties such as Homa Bay and Vihiga, where care is more accessible and better structured. They urged Kisumu County to benchmark best practices from these regions and incorporate them into its healthcare strategy. 'We are forced to cross county lines to save our children's lives. This is not just a failure of policy, it is a failure of humanity,' the petition reads in part.
Among the coalition's calls are the establishment of at least two specialized Sickle Cell treatment centers within Kisumu County, the implementation of universal newborn screening for early diagnosis, and the provision of free or subsidized genetic counseling services for families. They also stressed the need for a reliable supply of essential medications, including Hydroxyurea, Voxelotor, and Crizanlizumab to be made available in all Level 3 and above health facilities.
In addition to clinical interventions, the petition emphasized the importance of broader support systems. These include school-based awareness programs, psychosocial counseling, and vocational training opportunities for adult patients who often face discrimination in the job market. The coalition further called for the establishment of an emergency response system specifically tailored to SCD-related crises, including acute chest syndrome and stroke. They highlighted the absence of structured referral pathways and well-equipped ambulatory services, warning that even a delay of a few minutes in emergencies could mean the difference between life and death.
While acknowledging some progress by the county in general healthcare provision, the petitioners decried the consistent neglect of SCD in planning and budget allocations. They concluded their petition with an urgent appeal to the Kisumu County Assembly to adopt their recommendations in the 2025/2026 Annual Development Plan. The signatories cautioned that failure to respond adequately would lead to peaceful civic actions aimed at holding the county accountable. Copies of the petition have also been forwarded to Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o, the County Executive Committee Member for Health, the Chief Officer for Health, and the Sickle Cell Advocacy Group.