Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed the strategy the government has undertaken to curb the sickle cell disease in the country.

Mudavadi made the revelation after visiting West Virginia University – which is developing a drug against sickle cell – while on his trip to the United States, where he is currently with the president during the United Nations General Assembly summit.

“Sickle cell disease remains a pressing public health challenge, particularly in Africa, where the burden is greatest. Each year, of the 300,000 to 500,000 children born with sickle cell disease, over 250,000 are in sub-Saharan Africa. Sadly, the mortality rate among these children is alarmingly high, with 50–90% not surviving past the age of five, making the disease an invisible yet devastating health crisis in the region.

“In Kenya, efforts are underway to address this challenge by scaling up newborn screening programs across all counties. The country has made significant strides by incorporating sickle cell disease into its national health policies, marked by the launch of the national sickle cell disease guidelines in 2018,” Mudavadi revealed in a statement on X on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

Treatment

Mudavadi, who also doubles up as Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, commended the American university for its dedication to improving the lives of children affected by sickle cell disease and emphasised the need for continued support from the international community to strengthen these efforts.

“I was delighted to join Yunigen Inc. and the West Virginia University community in Morgantown, USA, for the launch of Scedamin, the first pediatric formulation of hydroxyurea developed by Yunigen for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

“This significant milestone is especially timely as it coincides with National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September,” he continued.