Sickle Cell Federation Of Kenya - SFK

30/09/2026

Nairobi was not the end. It was a beginning.

The 3rd GASCDO Global Conference brought our global sickle cell community together around one clear message:

Sickle cell disease is more than a crisis.

It is chronic.
It is progressive.
It is life-threatening.
And it requires continuous, comprehensive care.

But awareness alone is not enough.

The conversations in Nairobi must now move beyond the conference room—into policies, health systems, research, access to treatment, early diagnosis, data, funding and accountability.

As we return to our regular communications, GASCDO will continue to inform, challenge and connect the global sickle cell community.

We will keep sharing the evidence.
We will keep elevating lived experience.
We will keep asking the difficult questions.
And we will keep pushing for systems that recognize sickle cell disease before a crisis forces them to.

Nairobi was a moment. The work continues.

14/09/2026

From research to real impact.

Africa must not only be part of sickle cell research—we must ensure that new innovations reach the people who need them.

The conversation at the 3rd Global Sickle Cell Disease Conference highlighted the need for patient involvement, local evidence, stronger health systems, and better access to new treatments.

By Juliet Akoth Nairobi, Kenya: Africa hosted just 4% of clinical trials globally in 2023, despite carrying about a quarter of the world's disease burden,

14/09/2026

Surviving is not the same as living.

For people living with sickle cell disease, the journey goes beyond managing pain and surviving crises. It is also about education, work, relationships, mental health, dreams and the freedom to live life fully.

His education was interrupted. His working life was affected. His college career lasted less than a year before a medical crisis left him in a coma.

14/09/2026

Sickle cell warriors deserve a chance.

Beyond the pain of the disease, many warriors continue to face stigma, discrimination and barriers to opportunities.

The message from the Global Sickle Cell Disease Conference is clear: it’s time to turn commitments into action and give people living with sickle cell disease the opportunity to thrive.

Read the full story here:
https://www.talkafrica.co.ke/sickle-cell-warriors-deserve-a-chance-as-global-conference-calls-for-action/

By Victoria Musimbi Nairobi, Kenya: Beyond the physical pain and frequent hospitalizations, individuals living with sickle cell disease must navigate

03/09/2026

Joe Mudukiza lived with SCD. He struggled because of it. And his story is a painful reminder of what happens when the health system fails people living with sickle cell disease.

Dr. Catherine emphasized that the system failed Joe, and sadly, it is still failing many people living with SCD today.

SCD medication remains inaccessible to many because of its high cost. The government and the Ministry of Health need to invest in skills transfer so that more healthcare providers can understand SCD and provide better care and management.

We also need to decentralize SCD care so that patients don’t have to travel long distances to access the services they need.

Safe blood remains a challenge across Africa, yet blood transfusion is an important part of SCD care and management. The transition from paediatric to adult care is another major gap. Many young people are still in school and cannot afford to pay for their own medication.

And this is where insurers also need to rethink how they cover chronic, long-term conditions like SCD.

SCD cannot be left to families, caregivers or a few passionate healthcare providers to solve. It must become a collective responsibility. Service delivery, especially referrals, needs to be better integrated.

We need early screening, timely diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and care that follows the patient throughout their lives.

Because no family should have to make the impossible choice between Hydroxyurea and food.

Joe’s story should not simply be remembered. It should challenge us to do better.

People living with SCD deserve a health system that sees them, understands them and supports them not one that makes them fight for every bit of care they need.

03/09/2026

Day 3 of SCD. Powerful session with Dr. Philip Kasirye sharing Uganda’s story.What is SCD? Simple — red blood cells become sickled, block vessels, and cause serious complications. It’s a huge global challenge: 7.74 million people living with SCD worldwide. Uganda is 5th on the list, with about 20,000 babies born with SCD each year (13.3%).Uganda’s response is impressive: they moved from targeted pilots to a nationwide, locally made programme. MHS took the initiative to develop and manufacture screening kits and launched newborn screening after the 2015 national sickle cell survey. By targeting high-burden regions and pushing to test every newborn, they’re now screening about 95% of newborns. Besides SCD screening in Uganda is a requirement for couples who are looking to get married.

Uganda's advocacy is quite inspiring and proof that local solutions can scale.

02/09/2026

Dr. Nathan Mullure speaks on the importance of blood when it comes to care and management of SCD.

Terumo Imara SC framework emphasizes three key interventions: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

The approach focuses on leveraging community intervention, strengthening routine care under secondary intervention, and improving monitoring, access to care, and strong ex*****on to drive real impact.

Moving forward, Imara is pushing a horizontal approach in solving challenges from the grassroots up.

Terumo also continues to lead in supporting blood donations and remains vocal about red cell exchange as an important intervention for warriors.

01/09/2026

The D-Day is here

Join us in Nairobi, Kenya, for the 3rd Global Sickle Cell Disease Conference (GASCDO Global 2026), taking place September 1–3, 2026.

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

We look forward to welcoming you to Nairobi

01/09/2026

The Chief Guest for the third Global Sickle Cell Disease Conference Health Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Aden Duale called for turning our theme, “Global Standards, Local Impact,” into practical commitments that improve care for people living with Sickle Cell Disease.

He noted that 80% of the burden is in Africa and emphasized that this is not just a clinical challenge for Kenya, but a development challenge that requires data, planning, and real action.

He highlighted the importance of early screening, with 8 counties already implementing it, the training of 1,000 healthcare workers, and the role of the Social Health Authority in supporting care from outpatient services to red cell exchange.

He also pointed to the upcoming registry, the need to secure essential medicines and strengthen primary care, and reminded us that emergency care covers the first 24 hours for SCD, emergencies, and other chronic conditions.

Most importantly, he said he will continue to be an SCD advocate in the rooms that matter, speaking as both a caregiver and a patient.

We appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Health and value their presence in the same rooms with us, the warriors. When policymakers sit with us, listen to us, and walk with us, real change becomes possible.

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01/09/2026

Meet Geofrey Owino, the acting Chief Executive Officer, Sickle Cell Federation of Kenya and also a Sickle Cell warrior and High Court advocate, whose powerful speech reminded us that access to timely, quality care is a right, not a privilege. He emphasized that emergency care must never be denied, high standards of health care must be upheld, and delayed care can cost lives. He also called for sustainable care and the inclusion of PLWSCD in the labor market without discrimination, reminding us that PLWSCD are not lazy, they are sick and deserve grace, dignity, and understanding.