Abstract:
Background: Globally, approximately 515,000 infants with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) are
born every year. Approximately 80% of these cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
annually, including 14,000 newborns in Kenya. In SSA, 50%–80% of children will die
before the age of 5 years due to a lack of comprehensive SCD care compared to 3% in
better-resourced settings.
The Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) SCD Program started in
2010 as a partnership between Moi University, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH),
and Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center (IHTC) with a goal to improve access to
comprehensive SCD care by increasing capacity through training, clinical care, research, and
advocacy.
Findings: The program has trained over 5,000 healthcare workers on different aspects of
SCD through face-to-face instruction, virtual training and one-on-one mentorship programs.
Early infant screening and support for access to medications like hydroxyurea and antibiotics
have been key in improving clinical care. The program has also participated in several research
projects and has been a strong advocate for the provision of comprehensive SCD care by the
health facilities within the high SCD burden areas in Kenya and the Ministry of Health.
Conclusion: The strategies implemented by the program can serve as a template for
establishment of SCD care programs in similar resource-limited settings
