speech by rt hon prime minister on sickle cell anaemia

7/31/2019 Speech by Rt Hon Prime Minister on Sickle Cell Anaemia

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TALKING NOTES FOR THE RT. HON. RAILA A. ODINGA,

THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

DURING THE STAKEHOLDERS FORUM ON SICKLE CELL

ANAEMIA ON 19TH MAY 2012 AT TOM MBOYA LABOUR

COLLEGE, KISUMU HOSTED BY JARAMOGI OGINGA

ODINGA FOUNDATION

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am delighted to be part of this occasion as the Patron of

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation and the Prime Minister

of the Republic of Kenya. I take this opportunity to thank all

of you for your attendance. Allow me to give you some brief

information about JOOF.

JOOF is founded in memory of the late Jaramogi Oginga

Odinga. The organization pursues his legacy and values

which were anchored in his desire for a better nation and

Continent of Africa. Many Kenyans and people around the

world have fond memories of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga as achampion of democracy, social justice, human rights and

peace.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga devoted his life to the service of the

great nation of Kenya and the people of Africa as a teacher, a

leader, a statesman and a pan-African. He never

compromised his principles and ideals.


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During his lifetime, Jaramogi was a benefactor of orphans

and other disadvantaged Kenyans. The Jaramogi Oginga

Odinga Foundation was therefore formed to continue with

his work on humanitarian ideals and support for people

centered development.


Since establishment, JOOF has successfully brought about

cultural transformation through social mobilization

particularly awareness on key issues affecting the society

and community advocacy through dialogue with community

and national leadership structures to influence deeply-held

beliefs and practices.

JOOF has been involved in supporting education of children;

organizing symposiums, lectures and awards on issues of

concern to the Kenyan society and the African continent at

large, such as democracy and health; womens inheritance

and property rights, among others.


Over the years, JOOF has realized the need to address

emerging issues.

This has necessitated the involvement of the organization in

health sector to address the challenges of Sickle Cell

Anaemia and other non-communicable and lifestyle diseases.

This is addition of interventions in education.


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Ladies and Gentlemen

As you are aware, Sickle cell is a hereditary disease most

prevalent genetic disease in the African Region. Sickle cellanemia is a largely unrecognized health problem for people

in Africa. The most affected regions in Kenya are Nyanza,

Western, Coast and parts of Rift Valley. It is believed that

there are many people facing the problem in these regions

which therefore requires the attention of the community and

the government.


The government is committed to providing quality healthcare

to all Kenyans and sickle cell is one of the areas that require

special attention.

Provision of health services for sickle cell requires an

integrated approach as it is a disease that has no cure.

Therefore, its management and psychosocial support for the

affected is very important.

Although sickle-cell anaemia cannot be cured, it can be

managed through simple measures such as increasing fluid

intake, pursuing a healthy diet, taking folic acid

supplements and taking medication as needed.


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We must ensure that these affordable, common-sense

interventions are available to all people suffering from the

disease so that they can enjoy healthy and productive lives.

There is need for most cost effective ways to establish and

maintain screening programmes, integration of specialist

services into general health services, and the optimum

approaches to family and community education about sickle

cell.

I believe that this forum, gives us a platform to enlighten

ourselves about sickle cell anemia and come up with ways to

inform policy interventions at the national and community

level to address the problem.

Therefore, I wish you fruitful discussions. I also look forward

to stronger partnerships amongst yourselves and other

stakeholders who may not be present here today to address

the challenges posed by Sickle Cell Anaemia and other

health issues in Kenya and beyond.

Thank you.

RT. HON. RAILA A. ODINGA, EGH, MP.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya

Patron- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation

speech by rt hon prime minister on sickle cell anaemia

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