Former Nominated MP David Sankok has vowed to fight for persons with blood disorders such as haemophilia once sworn in as an EALA MP.
Sankok who is the current patron of Kenya Haemophilia Association was nominated alongside eight others, is expected to take oath of office in December.
“I promise when I go to the East African Legislative Assembly and be sworn in on December 19, we will start by making policies on uniform way of approach to some of these issues of blood disorder. I promise you that I will start from there,” Sankok said on Monday.
Data shows that 14,000 children are born with sickle cell in Kenya every year, while there are 5,000 people living with haemophilia.
Hemophilia is usually an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.
This can lead to spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery.
Blood contains many proteins called clotting factors that can help to stop bleeding.
“I have made sure people with haemophilia are registered as persons with disabilities not just for that registration so that they can access the benefits that are there for PWDs,” Sankok said.
Kenya and Tanzania have been jointly implementing a project on blood disorders with a key focus on haemophilia and sickle cell.
Dubbed ‘accelerating access to blood disorders care in Kenya and Tanzania,’ the project aims to improve access to blood disorders care infrastructure in both countries as well as increasing diagnosis rate by equipping centres haemophilia clinics and creating awareness.
