Healthcare workers from Webuye County Hospital in Bungoma County have urged parents to take their children for sickle cell anemia check-ups.
The workers said this should be done regularly to prevent the dangers that come with advanced-stage detection of the disease.
The facility has been undertaking a three-day screening exercise to identify children with the disease.
The children who will turn out positive shall be enrolled in the sickle cell disease clinic where appropriate disease management and follow-up will be initiated
Dr. Wanyama
According to Dr. Millicent Wanyama, a pediatrician at the facility, the children who will test positive will be enrolled in the sickle cell disease clinic.
“We started the screening exercise on Thursday through to Sunday 18th when the World Sickle Cell Day is marked globally,” she explained.
“The children who will turn out positive shall be enrolled in the sickle cell disease clinic where appropriate disease management and follow-up will be initiated,” she added.
She however insisted on the need for parents and caregivers to embrace screening and make of the available screening services insisting on the benefits of early detection.
The Sunday event held at Webuye County Hospital Grounds was attended by survivors of the disease, healthcare stakeholders, and sector managers from the county government.
WHO
Dr. Wanyama further noted that data from the World Health Organization shows that over 300,000 infants are born with sickle cell disease out of which half of the cases are in Africa.
In the past, children with sickle cell died before they hit their fifth birthday. But with new medical interventions there is significant progress considering today many of these children survive way beyond 5 years
Dr.Wanyama
In Kenya Western and Nyanza regions are the most affected areas.
“Research has shown that 80% of children living with sickle cell disease in the country come from the Western region. It is the reason we urge our people to embrace early screening,” she said.
She also revealed that new medications have seen many children survive beyond five years as opposed to past.
“In the past, children with sickle cell died before they hit their fifth birthday. But with new medical interventions there is significant progress considering today many of these children survive way beyond 5 years,” she added.
