Nairobi City County has partnered with global health technology firm OraSure Technologies to expand sickle cell disease screening at community health centers, aiming to reduce travel to referral hospitals.
The Nairobi City County Government’s Health, Wellness and Nutrition Sector announced a collaboration with OraSure Technologies to scale decentralized sickle cell disease (SCD) testing and treatment. The initiative, unveiled during a visit to Kianda Level 4 Hospital in Kibra, includes rapid diagnostic kits, newborn screening, and specialized clinics at primary health facilities. The partnership was finalized during a high-level delegation visit led by OraSure Technologies President and CEO Carrie Eglinton Manner and senior county health officials, including Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit Martha Chege.
Decentralizing Care to Ease Burden
County Head of Division for Non-Communicable Diseases Dr Victor Kibe emphasized that bringing services closer to communities reduces financial and physical strain on families. Bringing screening and treatment services closer to communities eases the financial and physical burden on families, enabling early intervention without requiring long-distance travel to national facilities,
he said. The county has also strengthened emergency services, including a toll-free ambulance line, 1508. Chege highlighted the importance of coordinated county support in expanding specialized services for people living with SCD, while Kibe noted that decentralizing care improves patient survival and eases family burdens.
Kianda Hospital’s Role in SCD Care
Kianda Level 4 Hospital, which hosts a dedicated sickle cell clinic, treated 172 patients over the past three months. The facility provides screening, hydroxyurea treatment, and follow-up care, according to hospital manager Hezron Kailanya. The clinic’s work aligns with OraSure’s broader goals, as CEO Carrie Eglinton Manner highlighted the potential of point-of-care diagnostics to improve screening access. The company has established a diagnostic manufacturing facility in Uganda that produces HIV self-tests for the East African market,
said John Bannister, OraSure Senior Sales Director. He indicated that the company plans to produce SickleSCAN tests at the facility to enhance the dependability and accessibility of supplies in Kenya and the broader region.
OraSure’s Regional Manufacturing Plans
OraSure Technologies, which operates a diagnostic manufacturing facility in Uganda producing HIV self-tests, plans to expand to SickleSCAN tests. John Bannister, OraSure Senior Sales Director, noted the move aims to boost supply reliability in Kenya and the East African region. The company’s partnership with Nairobi County includes coordination with the Ministry of Health and local organizations. The gathering included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Africa Sickle Cell Organization, Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation, Imara Sickle Cell Framework, OraSure Technologies, County health teams, caregivers, and individuals affected by sickle cell disease.
Calls for Expanded Awareness and Support
The initiative brought together officials, caregivers, and patient advocates to advance SCD management in the county. Kianda Level 4 Hospital manager Hezron Kailanya stated the facility’s dedicated sickle cell clinic provides screening, hydroxyurea treatment, and follow-up services.