Projects

Healthy Start Initiative Sickle Cell Screening and Management Project

HACEP Kenya, in partnership with Sickle Forward and Silverlake Research, is implementing the Healthy Start Initiative Sickle Cell Screening and Management Project across the Lake Region of Kenya. This collaborative effort addresses the high prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the region, providing comprehensive screening, early diagnosis, and effective management for affected children.

The Healthy Start Initiative is a flagship program by HACEP Kenya dedicated to transforming the landscape of early diagnosis and care for children with SCD. Rooted in the belief that every child deserves a healthy beginning, the initiative takes a comprehensive, system-wide approach to one of Kenya's most underdiagnosed and life-threatening genetic conditions.

At the heart of the program is the integration of routine newborn screening into public and private health facilities. By embedding screening within existing maternal and child health services, babies are tested within the first days of life often before symptoms appear. Early detection opens a critical window for timely interventions, preventing severe complications, recurrent hospitalizations, and early mortality.

Beyond diagnostics, the initiative emphasizes healthcare worker capacity building. Through targeted training, mentorship, and provision of essential tools, nurses, clinicians, and laboratory personnel are empowered to accurately diagnose, counsel families, and manage SCD using evidence-based protocols. This strengthens the overall health system and ensures that quality care reaches not only major hospitals but also lower-level facilities closer to communities.

The project also establishes clear and efficient referral pathways. Once a child is diagnosed, they are seamlessly linked to specialized care, including prophylactic treatments, routine monitoring, and emergency management. Families are supported throughout this journey, reducing delays in care and improving long-term health outcomes.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of the initiative. Through awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and partnerships with local leaders, the program works to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and encourage families to seek early testing and care. Parents and caregivers are empowered with knowledge about SCD, its symptoms, and preventive measures, fostering proactive health-seeking behaviors.

Operating in Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisumu Counties, the initiative aims to screen tens of thousands of newborns annually. By strengthening partnerships with local health facilities and County Health Management Teams (CHMTs), the project ensures that services are accessible, sustainable, and integrated into the existing healthcare system.

Additionally, the initiative leverages data and digital health tools to track screening outcomes, monitor patient progress, and inform decision-making. This data-driven approach not only improves program efficiency but also contributes to national efforts in understanding and addressing the burden of SCD.

Through this collaboration, HACEP Kenya, Sickle Forward, and Silverlake Research are working to reduce the burden of Sickle Cell Disease, strengthen healthcare delivery, and empower communities. By combining early detection, strong health systems, and informed communities, the initiative envisions a future where no child dies from preventable complications of SCD ensuring that every child truly gets a healthy start to life.