Kenya's JOOTRH to Become Africa's Leading Sickle Cell Disease Centre

The Kenyan government aims to turn Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) into a Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease in Africa. This move follows the hospital’s pioneering work in treating the lifelong genetic disorder, which causes chronic pain, anaemia, and other severe complications. JOOTRH has already made history as the first public hospital in Kenya to offer Red Cell Exchange Transfusion, also known as apheresis. The procedure removes damaged red blood cells and replaces them with healthy donor blood, reducing painful crises and life-threatening issues. The hospital’s Victoria Annex hosts the region’s comprehensive sickle cell care centre, where demand for this treatment is rising.

The Ministry of Health is collaborating with King’s College London to expand specialised services at JOOTRH and train healthcare workers. The treatment has shown clear benefits, helping patients live more productive lives and reducing frequent hospital visits. For children, regular transfusions mean better health, allowing them to attend school without the complications often linked to simple blood transfusions.

Michelle Omulo, a 33-year-old nurse with sickle cell disease, became the first patient at JOOTRH to receive the treatment. After three decades of living with the condition, she reported major improvements in her health and energy levels after the procedure. The success of the programme relies on a steady supply of safe blood and greater public awareness. Early screening and genetic testing are also vital to help families make informed choices. These steps are expected to reduce the overall burden of sickle cell disease in the region.