Tumaini Sickle cell Organization -TSCO

21/08/2026

𝐓𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐘𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 🇰🇪 | 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃. 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.

Tumaini Sickle Cell Organization (TSCO) was privileged to be represented at the Kenya Health Summit 2026, held on 18–19 August at KICC, Nairobi, under the powerful theme: “𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.” The Summit brought together government, counties, civil society, healthcare professionals, development partners, the private sector and communities to reflect on Kenya’s health reform journey and chart the next steps towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Day One placed civil society voices firmly at the table. The CSO constituency highlighted the contribution of civil society in strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) and submitted a Joint CSO Position Paper to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and the Compact Drafting Secretariat. The paper represents our collective contribution towards ensuring that Kenya’s health reforms translate into quality, equitable, affordable, accessible and people-centred healthcare.

We sincerely appreciate 𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐓 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 for convening and coordinating the voices of over 300 Civil Society Organizations working in the health space, enabling us to speak collectively and contribute meaningfully to the national health reform agenda. For TSCO, it was particularly important that the experiences of patients, caregivers, vulnerable populations and communities are not left behind as Kenya advances UHC.

The Summit also provided an opportunity to reflect on the legislative foundation underpinning Kenya’s current health transformation. Four major laws already anchor the reforms: the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023; Primary Health Care Act, 2023; Digital Health Act, 2023; and Facilities Improvement Financing Act, 2023. Together, these laws address health financing, access to primary healthcare, digital transformation and improved management of resources generated by public health facilities.

Attention must now remain on completing and strengthening the wider legislative and regulatory framework, including important pending reforms such as the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, which seeks to strengthen quality standards, accountability and patient safety, and legislation to further strengthen community health services and the community health workforce. The Ministry of Health has previously identified fast-tracking the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill as an important legislative priority.

Day Two brought the citizen’s voice directly into the national conversation through the 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. This was an important moment where the lived experiences, questions, concerns and expectations of ordinary Kenyans were heard and responded to. It reinforced a fundamental message: 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

Across the two days, key conversations centered on 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐇𝐀, 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬.

TSCO proudly contributed to these conversations, bringing to the table the perspective of communities and people living with chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease. We believe UHC will only be truly universal when no Kenyan is pushed to the margins because of their condition, geography or ability to pay.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to 𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐓 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 for creating a strong and unified platform for CSO engagement, and to AMREF through YOFAK for the logistical support that enabled 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 (𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐍) affiliated members to attend, participate and contribute to this historic national event.

As Team Tumaini, we commit to keeping the fire burning, advocating for health as a right and working alongside communities, government and partners to advance equitable, affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for every Kenyan.

From 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝, the voices and lived experiences of communities must remain at the centre.

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

https://www.globalscd.org/product/global-sickle-cell-in-person-conference/

Theme Global Standards, Local Impact: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Across Systems and Communities September 1st, 2026 7:00 am – September 3rd, 2026 5:00 pm 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Nairobi, Kenya

12/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EbijtWxZD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A New Lease on Life

For Mitchel Omullo, frequent sickle cell crises once made it difficult to keep up with appointments and daily life.

“Before apheresis, frequent sickle cell crises caused me to miss my appointments. Since the procedure, I feel healthier, more active, and able to live a normal life. I am grateful for this life-changing treatment.”

At JOOTRH Victoria Annex, apheresis is helping eligible patients living with sickle cell disease access specialised care closer to home.

Specialised care. Closer to home. Better experiences for patients.

04/08/2026

Last week we had productive meeting advancing sickle cell care at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). A representstive from Tumaini ably participated in the Point Of Care - Transcranial Doppler Screening Implementation Workshop, working towards early stroke prevention for children living with sickle cell disease. The pilot stage is being launched at JOOTRH targeting 50 participants on first come priority. Then will advise on implementation

03/08/2026

This photograph captures the heart of community healthcare in action. It shows a bustling medical outreach where dedicated healthcare professionals, volunteers, and partners came together to provide life-saving services and essential medicines to individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease.

For many of the beneficiaries, this outreach represented their only opportunity to access medical consultation, treatment, health education, and referrals without the burden of travel or cost. Every medicine dispensed, every patient attended to, and every conversation held brought renewed hope to a community that too often struggles to access specialized care.

With the support of generous partners and donors, Tumaini Sickle Cell Organization is committed to expanding these outreaches so that every person living with sickle cell disease can receive the care, dignity, and hope they deserve.

18/07/2026

We joined MOH and Sickle Cell Federation of Kenya during the 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 held on 16 July 2026 at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Muthaiga, Nairobi. The symposium brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, healthcare workers, patient advocates, caregivers, and people living with sickle cell disease to discuss practical solutions for improving the lives of those affected by the condition.

The meeting was graced by the 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐎𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐠𝐚, whose keynote address reaffirmed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to strengthening sickle cell care. He emphasized the need for:
• Early diagnosis through expanded newborn and infant screening.
• Equitable access to comprehensive, quality care across all counties.
• Increased public awareness to eliminate stigma and encourage timely care-seeking.
• Strong partnerships between government, healthcare institutions, researchers, civil society, and patient organizations.
• Continued investment in research, innovation, and sustainable financing for sickle cell services.

Throughout the symposium, experts highlighted several key priorities:
•Early diagnosis saves lives, making universal screening a critical investment.
•Comprehensive care—including hydroxyurea therapy where indicated, vaccination, infection prevention, nutrition, psychosocial support, and routine follow-up—significantly improves survival and quality of life.
•Building the capacity of healthcare workers is essential to ensure timely diagnosis and evidence-based management across Kenya.
•Local research and clinical trials are vital to generating African evidence that informs better treatment and policy decisions.
•The voices of people living with sickle cell disease and their caregivers must remain at the center of policy, service delivery, and advocacy efforts.

As a representative of 𝐓𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 , we were encouraged by the shared commitment to closing the gaps in diagnosis, treatment, advocacy, and research. The discussions reinforced that no single institution can address sickle cell disease alone—it requires coordinated action from government, healthcare providers, researchers, development partners, and community organizations.

The symposium renewed our resolve to continue advocating for:
•Early screening and diagnosis.
•Quality, affordable comprehensive care.
•Empowerment of patients and caregivers.
•Stronger community awareness.
•Evidence-informed policies that improve outcomes for every person living with sickle cell disease.

Together, we can build a future where every child and adult living with sickle cell disease has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive, and dignified life.

25/06/2026

Honored to have served as a member of the Planning Committee and Lead Rapporteur during the 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 held in Naivasha from 23rd–25th June 2026.

The forum brought together government, civil society, community-led organizations, development partners, academia, and affected communities under the theme: “*𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞.”*

We reaffirmed that community systems are the foundation of equitable, people-centered, and resilient health systems in Kenya. As the country advances Universal Health Coverage and navigates changing donor funding landscapes, community health workers, community-led organizations, and grassroots accountability mechanisms must be recognized, protected, and adequately resourced.

Key calls to action included increased domestic investment in community health, formal recognition of Community-Led Monitoring, stronger policy and legal frameworks, and accelerated but carefully managed health systems integration.

One message stood out clearly: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦.

20/06/2026

🌍 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐆𝐀𝐏 – 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄

On 19/06/2026, Kenya joined the global community in commemorating 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 under the theme 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐩: 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞. The national celebration was hosted at Bunyala TVET, Busia County, bringing together government leaders, healthcare professionals, development partners, caregivers, advocates, and individuals living with sickle cell disease to champion equitable access to quality care and improved health outcomes.

The event was graced by the 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐎𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐠𝐚, who served as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, he reaffirmed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to expanding the accessibility, affordability, and availability of quality healthcare through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, while ensuring adequate healthcare workforce capacity across public health facilities to better serve all Kenyans, including those living with sickle cell disease.

In line with the day’s theme, a range of integrated health services were offered to the public, including:

Voluntary blood donation drives,
Free genotype screening to enable individuals know their sickle cell status, General wellness and health checks, Social Health Authority (SHA) registration services, National ID registration services, Nutrition education on the role of proper diet in the management of sickle cell disease.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Busia County, the County Executive Committee Member for Health, the County Head of Non-Communicable Diseases, the Head of the Ministry of Health Division of Cancer and Non-Communicable Diseases, as well as CEOs and representatives of partner organizations supporting the sickle cell agenda in Kenya.

The national commemoration was made possible through the collaboration and support of local and international partners, including 𝐓𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐍𝐂𝐃 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐎, 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐧, 𝐀𝐟𝐲𝐚 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢 𝐏𝐄𝐍-𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬, 𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇, 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒, 𝐅𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, which served as the lead organizer.

The celebrations were further enlivened by vibrant drama performances, skits, poems, and songs that delivered powerful messages aimed at demystifying myths and misconceptions surrounding sickle cell disease, while promoting awareness, acceptance, inclusion, and hope.

As 𝐓𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, we are proud to have played a role in planning and delivering this historic national event. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for policies, services, and partnerships that will help close the survival gap and ensure that every person living with sickle cell disease has equitable access to early diagnosis, quality healthcare, life-saving treatment, and the opportunity to thrive.

Let us continue working towards a future where no one is left behind because of where they are born, where they live, or their ability to pay for care.

19/06/2026