KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme and Kilifi County Teaching and Referral Hospital, jointly manage the paediatric sickle cell clinic which serves neighbouring counties, provides diagnoses for children and routine management for patients. Their research is focused on improving the diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease and shaping the future of care and treatment for patients in Kenya and beyond.
Core aspects in the research focused on how sickle cell disease clinically presents in the patient population, evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments such as Hydroxyurea through clinical trials and safety and good usage of blood transfusion in the management of sickle cell anaemia. The clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of hydroxyurea in reducing pain events, infections, blood transfusions and death as well in improving overall survival rates. The evidence supporting the use of hydroxyurea has contributed to the development of National Guidelines for the control and management of sickle cell disease in Kenya.
Findings from the research have established that early diagnosis combined with routine outpatient management—including vaccinations, iron supplementation, and infection prevention—significantly improve survival rates for children with sickle cell disease. This allows families to manage the condition more effectively leading to a growing number of adolescents and young adults benefiting from the clinic’s services.
Read the full story on the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health website.