Thousands of sickle cell patients in Western Kenya and the wider Lake Region Economic Bloc are set to benefit from a major leap in specialized care after Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) commissioned a state‑of‑the‑art apheresis machine.
The cutting‑edge equipment installed at JOOTRH’s Victoria Annex Hospital was made possible through a strategic partnership with Conrad Science and TERUMO Blood and Cell Technologies.
This is set to enable Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) and Red Blood Cell Exchange (RBC‑X)—procedures that are critical in managing severe complications of sickle cell disease (SCD), including acute chest syndrome and stroke, by replacing sickled cells with healthy donor blood.
Until now, patients requiring such advanced interventions endured long, costly journeys to specialized centers, often in Nairobi or abroad.
The new technology brings care far closer to home, dramatically reducing financial and emotional burdens on families.
At a specialized training session for clinicians on Tuesday, JOOTRH Senior Director of Finance and Administration Evans Oloo, representing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joshua Okise, described the machine as a beacon of hope for patients long marginalized by gaps in specialized services.
“By bringing these advanced services closer to our people, we are reducing suffering, improving clinical outcomes, and reaffirming our commitment to equitable healthcare,” he said.
To ensure the technology’s impact is maximized, clinical teams at the Victoria Annex are undergoing intensive training, focusing on machine operation and patient monitoring protocols.
Dr. Steven Ojuma, Director of the Victoria Annex Hospital, underscored that human capacity was just as important as the equipment itself.
“Our goal is to ensure this equipment is used safely and effectively to deliver the high‑quality care our patients deserve,” he said.
The first procedures were successfully conducted on September 1, 2025, in partnership with Nairobi West Hospital, and five patients have since undergone treatment with promising outcomes, according to hospital records.
The acquisition makes JOOTRH the second public facility in Kenya—and the first in Western Kenya—to house such technology, positioning it as a regional center of excellence for SCD care.
Sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder characterized by abnormal, rigid red blood cells, remains a major public health challenge in Kenya, especially in malaria-endemic regions such as Western and Nyanza.
The condition causes severe pain, recurrent hospitalizations, and increases the risk of life‑threatening complications.
National health guidelines estimate that in Western Kenya up to 18 percent of children carry the sickle cell trait and about 4.5 percent develop full‑blown SCD.
The Lake Region shows similar patterns, with roughly 17 percent carrying the trait and a significant number progressing to disease.
Without access to comprehensive care, between 50 and 90 percent of children born with SCD in sub‑Saharan Africa die before their fifth birthday, according to regional estimates.
The introduction of apheresis‑based therapy at JOOTRH marks a turning point in altering this narrative.
Red blood cell exchange (RBC‑X)—the hallmark of the new service—replaces defective cells with healthy ones from donors, improving oxygen delivery, reducing the frequency of painful crises, and lowering the risk of serious complications.
This intervention has been shown to extend life expectancy and enhance quality of life for many patients.
By Chris Mahandara
