Patients with Sickle Cell anaemia in Homa Bay are calling on the government to ease their burden by subsidising the high cost of essential medication, particularly hydroxyurea.
Speaking during World Sickle Cell Day at Nyalkilnyi Health Facility in Homa Bay town, a 37-year-old Everline Awuor, who is a sickle cell warrior, appealed to the government to make hydroxyurea free of charge, just like medications for HIV and tuberculosis, or at least subsidise it to make it affordable for warriors from low-income families. "We are asking the government to support us.
If they can provide free medication for diseases like HIV and TB, then they can do the same for sickle cell or at least make it affordable for low-income families," she urged.
Beyond the physical pain, the mother of two said she grapples with the financial strain of maintaining her health.
