A haemophilia clinic has been opened in Garissa to offer services to patients in Garissa and neighbouring communities.
Haemophilia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the ability of blood to clot, leading to excessive and spontaneous episodes of bleeding.
Patients lack the fundamental protein that triggers the clotting process.
The condition, which usually affects men, can be fatal if not managed.
Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane opened the haemophilia, oncology and sickle cell disease clinic on Thursday.
The clinic, a first of its kind in Northeastern, is located at the Garissa County Referral Hospital.
Dagane said the development is a milestone towards improving healthcare in the county.
The deputy governor said the facility will bring relief to patients who spent fortunes seeking medical services in Nairobi and Mombasa.
“Patients with blood disorders will now get treatment right here, this clinic could not have come at a better time,” he said.
Dagane said the county will also partner with Kenya Haemophilia Association in training medical officers to provide adequate medical services to patients.
On his part, Health executive Roble Nuno said patients with such ailments should take full advantage of the clinic by seeking treatment.
“For a long time our people have been forced by circumstances beyond their control to seek treatment elsewhere. However, this will now be a thing of the past,” he said.
The Kenya Haemophilia Association CEO Stephen Karanja said they are looking forward to partnering not only with Garissa but several other counties.
He said plans are underway to have such clinics spread across counties.
Karanja said the clinic lays the foundation for provision of comprehensive services for patients.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
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