The Ministry of Health has unveiled plans to create a National Sickle Cell Disease Registry.
The initiative is intended to improve diagnosis, guide treatment planning, and strengthen long-term care for thousands of patients living with the condition across Kenya.
The proposal was raised during a meeting between Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga and a delegation from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT), led by Vice President Dr Sylvain Lacomble, as the country marked World Sickle Cell Day.
The Ministry said the talks centred on improving Kenya’s response to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) by expanding access to early diagnosis, treatment, and continuing care systems.
A major focus of the discussions was the proposed creation of a National Sickle Cell Disease Registry.
The Ministry also singled out wider newborn screening programmes as a key priority, noting that early diagnosis is among the most effective ways to improve survival rates and reduce complications linked to the disease.
MoH said particular attention was given to expanding newborn screening programmes and advancing the national registry to support evidence-based planning and better patient outcomes.
Beyond the registry and screening efforts, the discussions also examined ways to strengthen healthcare worker capacity and improve access to essential treatment services so patients receive timely and quality care.
The engagement took place under the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day theme, “Close the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease,” which highlights the need to reduce disparities in access to diagnosis and treatment.
The Ministry said the aim is to ensure children born with Sickle Cell Disease, regardless of where they live or their social background, have equal opportunities to access healthcare and lead healthy, productive lives.
Dr Oluga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with partners to strengthen specialised healthcare services and build a more responsive health system for people affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
He said sustained investment in prevention, early detection, treatment, and health workforce development remains critical to improving outcomes for patients and their families.
The Principal Secretary also noted that specialised care for chronic conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease is part of the wider agenda to improve healthcare delivery and advance Universal Health Coverage.
The Ministry said collaboration with development and healthcare partners will continue as Kenya works to improve disease management systems and expand access to specialised treatment services.
The proposed registry is part of broader efforts to ensure no Kenyan living with Sickle Cell Disease is left behind and that health interventions are guided by reliable data and patient needs.