In a major boost to specialized healthcare services in western Kenya, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is set to begin offering red blood cell exchange (RBCx) therapy starting September 1, 2025.
This will mark the first time the advanced treatment is available at the Kisumu-based referral facility, following the acquisition of a state-of-the-art apheresis machine through technical support from Nairobi West Hospital.
The therapy, which is primarily used to manage sickle cell disease, is expected to revolutionize care for thousands of patients in a region that carries one of the country’s highest burdens of the genetic condition.
RBCx therapy is a non-surgical procedure that involves replacing abnormal red blood cells in sickle cell patients with healthy donor cells. By enhancing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, the treatment reduces the frequency and severity of complications, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients.
The service will be offered at Victoria Hospital, JOOTRH’s specialized sickle cell and hematology unit, and will be subsidized under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme to ensure affordability for low-income families.
The Nairobi West Hospital, home to the country’s only Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit, will play a critical role in implementing the new therapy. Its specialists will train JOOTRH staff and oversee the rollout, sharing expertise gained through years of successful transplants.
Since its establishment in October 2022, the Nairobi West BMT Unit has reported a 100 percent success rate in bone marrow transplants conducted locally, a milestone that has reduced the need for overseas medical referrals.
Dr. Kibet Shikuku, Medical Director at Nairobi West Hospital, said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to build local capacity and reduce dependence on foreign facilities for critical care. “Our goal is to bring these life-saving interventions closer to the people who need them most,” he said.
JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a potential game-changer for patients who have for years endured costly and lengthy referrals outside the country or to overloaded urban hospitals.
The new service is seen as part of a growing shift toward decentralized, patient-centered care that prioritizes affordability, access, and sustainability within Kenya’s evolving healthcare landscape.
