Story by Sherine Atieno and Photos by Ondari Ogega
Do you know your sickle cell status?” This was the resounding call at Victoria Hospital, an annex of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), as the facility joined hands with Zuwi Afya CBO to host a medical safari caravan aimed at spreading awareness on sickle cell disease (SCD).
The caravan, flagged off from Victoria Hospital, is winding its way through the streets of Kisumu with a final destination in Kitale. Between 19th and 21st September, it will host a series of medical outreach activities, offering sickle cell screening and management, cancer screening, tuberculosis testing, diabetes and hypertension checks, arthritis care, mental health sensitization, and other general health services. The program also features interactive discussions aimed at equipping the public with knowledge on prevention, treatment, and care for long-term health conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the CEO, JOOTRH’s Senior Director of Nursing Teresa Okiri urged Kenyans to take screening seriously—not just for themselves but also for their children. “Knowing your sickle status is the first step toward protecting the next generation,” she said, while also calling on members of the public to donate blood. Warriors also depend on a steady supply of blood, especially for advanced procedures like the Red Blood Cell Exchange.
The groundbreaking automated Red Blood Cell Exchange transfusion, recently performed at Victoria Hospital in collaboration with Nairobi West Hospital, was celebrated as a milestone for the region. This life-saving intervention reduces painful crises, improves the quality of life for patients.
Dr. Joy Muyonga, lead paediatrician at JOOTRH, highlighted the inspiring journey of Michelle Omullo, a proud sickle cell warrior, who successfully underwent the first automated exchange procedure at Victoria Hospital. “This therapy can reduce harmful sickle haemoglobin by up to 30%,” she explained. While it is not a cure, when carried out two to three times a year, the procedure significantly reduces the frequency and severity of painful crises that warriors often face. This makes it a powerful intervention in improving quality of life and easing the burden on families.
Dr. Muyonga also urged parents to remain vigilant about complications, citing cases such as priapism in boys, which can cause prolonged, painful erections lasting over three hours if untreated.
In Kenya, it is estimated that 240,000 children are born with sickle cell disease every year, with the highest burden in Nyanza and Western regions. In Kisumu County alone, one in every 14 children is born with the disease, while at least 20% of the population carries the trait. Sickle cell remains one of the leading causes of childhood illness and death in the region.
Victoria Hospital continues to run paediatric sickle cell clinics every Wednesday and adult sickle cell clinic every Monday.
Through partnerships, innovation, and community outreach, Victoria annex remain committed to offering hope, dignity, and better health to warriors and their families.
