The Ministry of Health (MoH) is developing guidelines to boost the management of Sickle Cell disease towards ensuring high standards in the treatment of patients.
Speaking on Friday during the marking of the World Sickle Cell Day, MoH Head of Curative and Rehabilitative Services Dr Izaq Odongo said the government had embarked on the programme to reduce the burden the disease posed to mwananchi.
“The program is meant to reduce the burden of the disease which affects two of every 10 newborns in Kenya, with 60 and 80 of them dying before their fifth birthday,” read part of the statement by Dr Odongo on behalf of the CS for Health.
This year's theme from the ministry is 'Let’s Talk Sickle Cell' with the purpose of intensifying awareness about the disease.
The theme is also geared towards giving hope to patients who have been diagnosed with the disease and making them believe that they can live a long meaningful life.