Series of activities have been lined up by Uganda American sickle cell rescue fund (UASCRF), anon government organization as Uganda preparing to join the rest of world to mark the world sickle cells day on 19th June 2016.
Among activities arranged ahead of the commemoration include, a one week sickle cell screening camp, educating health workers in Gulu district to get more skills on handling and treating sickle cell patients and others. These activities will climax with the Fourth National sickle cell awareness conference scheduled at Kaunda stadium in Gulu Municipality where sickle cell patients will get free drugs.
The president of Uganda American sickle cell rescue fund, Lukia Mulumba, the US air force at rank of major has noted that the organization has selected to mark this day in Gulu because it’s one of the key areas affected by sickle cell trait with prevalence of 17.1%. Hence there is need for more help in terms of sensitizing the residents about the disease.
According to Major Rukia Mulumba, the one-day conference will be attended by patients and doctors countrywide, Parents of sickle cell patients, health personnel, senior government officials, and members of the civil society, and sickle cell experts from Belgium, India and unite states to fog way forward on ending the disease.
Mulumba says the event will be a platform to appeal for formulation of a policy regarding the problem, call for scientific research and an opportunity to share experiences.
Sickle cell anaemia is a disorder in which the body creates sickle-shaped red blood cells, which affect blood flow in cells and organs. This causes pain, organ damage and raises the risk of infection. If both parents have traits, there are 1 in 4 chances (25%) that each pregnancy will be affected.
Symptoms of sickle cell anaemia include rapid destruction of red blood cells, causing anaemia and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes), blockage of blood flow which causes tissue damage and body pain. Among children, the fingers or toes could get swollen.
Uganda sickle cell fact file.
13.5% of the Uganda Population has Sickle Cell Trait.
Out of every 7people, at least one has the sickle cell trait.
Out of every 150 people, at least one has the disease.
Sickle Cell disease varies per region;
Mid North a sickle cell prevalence ranging from 17 –21 %,
East-Central 16.7%,
Central 12.85 -14.60 %
Mid-Eastern Uganda 16.5%
Mid-Western –11.5 %
South-Western region 4.1%
Kampala 13.63%