Expanding access to blood disorders care in East Africa: Phase 2 completed

Following a successful joint project between Kenya and Tanzania (2021–2023), a coalition supported by the NNHF and Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) expanded its reach across East Africa to include Uganda and Rwanda, successfully completing in 2025.

Building on more than a decade of NNHF work in the region, the project strengthened haemophilia services while exploring integrated care for haemophilia and sickle cell disease (SCD). By leveraging each country’s strengths, the initiative created a platform for learning, healthy competition and lasting collaboration.

Samuel Ntambi, a lab technician from Kampala, Uganda, has been training other lab technicians across the country through the East Africa 2 project.

Key achievements

• Strengthened network of care centres: 28 centres were established or enhanced across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, reducing round-trip travel time for patients by up to 10 hours.
• Integrated care strengthening: Based on prior learning, 13 of the 28 centres now offer integrated haemophilia and SCD services, improving efficiency through shared staff, resources and training.
• Expanded clinical capacity: 667 health professionals received training, including 41 in-depth trainees.
• Growing local training hubs: Kenya’s Medical Training College (KMTC) established a centre of excellence for haemophilia and SCD training.
• Policy and advocacy wins: Governments have increased support for haemophilia, including reagent funding at Mulago Hospital (Uganda) and national treatment guidelines endorsed in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
• Stronger patient organisations: National patient groups have received training in advocacy, youth engagement and governance to strengthen leadership and succession planning.

Catalysing regional change

The East Africa Blood Disorders Leadership Forum in Nairobi (October 2024) brought over 100 delegates from 12 countries, including government representatives and MPs, to share experience and chart future priorities. The project has fostered a lasting network and culture of collaboration; lessons learned are already informing similar coalition projects elsewhere in Africa.

Next steps

The four countries will consolidate gains by ensuring functional infrastructure, expanding in-country training, securing sustained government commitments, and accelerating diagnostic efforts to reach more people living with haemophilia and SCD.