•This will also ensure health facilities stock the required treatment options as they will be assured of payment.
•42 laboratory staff, 29 physiotherapists and 228 clinicians, nurses and pharmacists have been trained to run the newly established clinics
The National Health Insurance Fund might soon cover treatment for Kenyans living with blood disorders such as haemophilia and sickle cell.
Blood disorders are not covered under the current NHIF packages, something that has seen a lot of patients struggle to get treatment out of pocket.
In a push by the Kenya Haemophilia Association, this will also ensure health facilities stock the required treatment options as they will be assured of payment.
The KHA patron David Sankok has noted the push to have NHIF cover treatment of all those who are suffering from haemophilia and other blood disorders will make them access services more easily.
“If you are in a health centre and you know as a clinician you have a catchment area of around 10 sickle cell clients and five haemophilia clients you will stock the factor concentrates because you know they will come and they have the purchasing power,” Sankok said.
Kenya has been able to establish more than six haemophilia clinics in Bungoma, Meru, Laikipia, Kakamega, Garissa and Narok with two more pending in Turkana and Kisumu.
Similarly 42 laboratory staff, 29 physiotherapists and 228 clinicians, nurses and pharmacists have been trained to run the newly established clinics.
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.