Denmark backs proposed Ksh129M sickle cell project in Kenya
Kenya is considering a two-year, Ksh129 million sickle cell disease demonstration project to improve diagnosis, treatment and referral services in three counties. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the proposed initiative was discussed during a bilateral meeting with Denmark’s Ambassador to Kenya, Stephan Schønemann, and a Novo Nordisk delegation led by Managing Director for Middle […]
Kenya is exploring a two-year, Ksh129 million initiative to address sickle cell disease, a debilitating condition that affects numerous Kenyans. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed the proposed project during a meeting with Denmark's Ambassador Stephan Schønemann and Novo Nordisk's Jacob Mollerup. The initiative aims to enhance early diagnosis, treatment, and referral services for people living with sickle cell disease, a condition that places significant burden across 17 Kenyan counties.
Duale emphasized the importance of strengthening frontline health workers, improving health data systems, and boosting coordination between national and county health authorities. The project will also establish an MoU outlining roles, financing, data governance, safeguards, deliverables, and sustainability. The three counties to be selected for implementation will be based on disease burden, service gaps, geographical equity, and commitment to the programme.
Kenya has identified 17 high-burden counties, including Western, Nyanza, and coastal regions, which collectively account for approximately 14,000 newborns born with sickle cell disease annually. This new project builds upon prior efforts by Novo Nordisk Foundation to improve sickle cell disease care in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
