New Therapy at JOOTRH Aims to Ease Burden of Sickle Cell Disease in Western Kenya

The fight against sickle cell disease in western Kenya reached a major milestone on September 1 when Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) successfully performed its first red blood cell exchange therapy in partnership with The Nairobi West Hospital.

The breakthrough procedure was carried out at JOOTRH’s Victoria Hospital using a state-of-the-art apheresis machine installed with technical and clinical support from The Nairobi West Hospital. Specialists from Nairobi West guided JOOTRH clinicians through the process, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the management of the disease in the region.

Western Kenya carries the country’s highest prevalence of sickle cell disease, with about 14 cases in every 1,000 births. The condition, caused by abnormal haemoglobin that distorts red blood cells into a crescent shape, leads to severe pain, anaemia, stroke and organ damage. Until now, patients in Kisumu and neighbouring counties had to rely on standard transfusions or travel long distances to Nairobi for advanced care.

“This is a major step in decentralising highly specialised treatment,” said Dr Kibet Shikuku, Medical Director at The Nairobi West Hospital. “Our priority is to transfer expertise so that patients in Kisumu and across the lake region can access life-saving interventions closer to home. It is about building local capacity and ensuring equity in healthcare.”

Red blood cell exchange therapy works by selectively removing sickled cells from a patient’s blood and replacing them with healthy donor cells. Unlike conventional transfusions, the method reduces the frequency of crises and lowers the risk of stroke and organ failure.

Among the first beneficiaries was 32-year-old Michelle Omulo, a patient advocate who has battled sickle cell disease since childhood. Having suffered two mild strokes, she described the therapy as a turning point. “I am very excited because I feel like the apheresis machine is going to really reduce the number of crises that we are always having,” she said. “For the first time, I feel hopeful that I can live a more stable and productive life.”

JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Lesiyampe welcomed the programme, noting the burden the disease has placed on families in the region. “Western Kenya carries the heaviest load of sickle cell cases in the country, and for too long patients here have had to suffer in silence or travel long distances for specialised care,” he said. “With the support of The Nairobi West Hospital, we can now provide world-class therapy right here in Kisumu.”

The Ministry of Health also lauded the initiative, calling it a step toward reducing disparities in access to specialised services. “This collaboration between The Nairobi West Hospital and JOOTRH is exactly the model of partnership we need to strengthen universal health coverage,” said Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni. “It brings lifesaving therapy to the heart of the region most affected by sickle cell disease, and it shows how pooling expertise can save lives.”

The Social Health Authority has confirmed that the new therapy will be subsidised for qualifying patients, easing the financial burden on families. Officials have also urged members of the public to step up blood donations, which are vital to sustaining the programme.

The Nairobi West Hospital, which established Kenya’s only bone marrow transplant unit in 2022, continues to lead in haematology expertise. Its role in training and mentoring JOOTRH staff is expected to ensure that the red blood cell exchange service becomes a permanent feature of care in Kisumu.

For the thousands of sickle cell warriors across western Kenya, the procedure is more than a medical milestone. It is a signal of hope, an assurance of healthier lives, and proof that world-class care can be delivered where it is needed most.