Gov't to Mandate Sickle Cell Screening in Maternal and Child Health Visits
Health Updated: 25 September 2025 11:07 EAT
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The government is taking a major step to combat the devastating effects of sickle cell disease by making screening mandatory for infants during routine maternal and child health visits.
This announcement was made by Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga at a United Nations General Assembly event in New York.
Dr. Oluga underscored the severe crisis facing the country, where the disease claims the lives of up to 90% of children born with the condition before they reach their fifth birthday.
With approximately 14,000 children affected annually, the move is a direct response to this silent public health emergency that has long been a source of suffering and preventable deaths.
The new policy is designed to institutionalize early detection and interventions, building on the foundation of Kenya’s National Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Sickle Cell Disease (2021) and the Policy Guidelines for Infant Screening (2023).
By integrating screening into existing healthcare protocols, the Ministry of Health aims to ensure that no child with sickle cell disease goes undiagnosed and that life-saving care can be initiated from the earliest possible stage.
Tags: Aden Duale Ministry Of Health United Nations General Assembly Dr. Ouma Oluga Sicklecell Editor's Pick
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