Kenya says it is committed to strengthening haemophilia care in Kenya, including plans to integrate the condition into the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits package, to improve access to essential treatment and support services.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga, speaking during the World Haemophilia Day commemoration at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), held in collaboration with the Kenya Haemophilia Association, said ongoing health reforms are now shifting focus from enrolment to addressing service delivery gaps, particularly hospital payments and access to care.

Dr Oluga announced that the ministry will advocate for the inclusion of haemophilia in the national health coverage framework to ease the financial burden on patients and ensure sustainable access to care.

He emphasised the need for early diagnosis through enhanced awareness and screening, proposing the integration of haemophilia screening into primary healthcare systems and strengthening referral pathways to specialised facilities.

On health workforce development, the principal secretary reaffirmed continued investment in healthcare personnel, noting progress in resolving issues affecting interns and Universal Health Coverage workers, which has contributed to improved stability across the sector. He appealed to health workers to uphold compassion in patient care.

Dr Oluga also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the availability of medical commodities and expand digital health solutions, including plans for personalised care tools such as mobile applications and chatbots for haemophilia patients, alongside a broader integrated health information system, to enhance tracking of services and medicines.

He further called for increased investment in digitisation and advanced care, including the development of specialised services such as gene therapy at referral hospitals.

The event brought together key stakeholders that included East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament David ole Sankok, KNH Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe, Chair of the Kenya Haemophilia Association Board of Trustees Karanja Njoroge, Ministry of Health NCD Lead Gladwell Gathecha as well as clinicians, patients and partners advocating for improved haemophilia care in Kenya.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Joseph Ng’ang’a