- According to Adhiambo Opondo, Founder and CEO of Birthmark Kenya, this is an unfolding catastrophe that needs to be urgently addressed.
- Adhiambo noted that the basic medication needed to manage SCD is Hydroxyurea.
Image: FAITH MATETE
A concern has been raised over the lack of basic medications needed to manage sickle cell disease.
According to Adhiambo Opondo, Founder and CEO of Birthmark Kenya, this is an unfolding catastrophe that needs to be urgently addressed.
Adhiambo noted that the basic medication needed to manage SCD is Hydroxyurea.
SCD patients also need Paludrine for Malaria Prophylaxis. She noted that both of these medications are critical in determining the quality of life of SCD patients.
"However as we speak to you, both of these drugs are not readily available in the country, especially in Kisumu that’s considered a malaria-endemic region," said Adhiambo
She also noted that these drugs are not readily or consistently available in hospitals.
"This is an unacceptable situation that must be corrected immediately."
She further called upon the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation as well as other development partners to intervene in what she termed as evolving crisis that needs to be addressed immediately and with urgency.
Adhiambo added that at Birthmark Kenya, they believe that Every Birth Leaves a Mark and one of their chosen area of focus for intervention is SCD which is the most common inherited blood disorder encountered in Kenya.
She said SCD has contributed significantly to the mortality rate in children younger than 5 years, primarily because of late diagnosis, educational gaps among service providers, and lack of access to appropriate treatment.
"We are here today to draw the nation’s attention to SCD, and to the unfolding catastrophe of unavailability of the medication used to manage the condition."
According to Dr Joy Muyonga, most hospitals within the county currently don't have Hydroxyurea.
She said they are in a support group with the sickle cell warriors and every single day they get requests about where they can get the drugs.
Muyonga noted that the last time they had a consistent supply of Hydroxyurea was late last year and early this year.
"As we speak we are only getting Hydroxyurea in a private chemist, the cost is Sh 55 to 59 per capsule and the minimum dosage warriors use for adults is two capsules per day."
She added that this was very expensive for most of the warriors who don't have NHIF or jobs due to the conducive working conditions hence no source of income.
For parents with young warriors, she added that it is even worse because they spend many working hours, get five to six crises in a month or a year depending on how severe it is and spend around Sh3,200 per month or any time the child is being admitted to hospitals.
Naomi Ouma urged the government both the county and national governments to come out and help them to prevent the loss of lives for adults and children with SCD.
The Star reached out to Kisumu CEC Gregory Ganda to respond to some of the accusations above but he did not respond by the time of going to the press.
We pledge to give the county government's side of the story if respond.