About 15000 children are born with sickle cell anemia every year in Uganda according Professor Christopher Ndugwa an expert in sickle cell disease.
The prevalence rate for sickle cell is highest in the Northern Uganda, followed by central, eastern and then western region. Professor Ndugwa advises the sicklier to go for regular checkups in
order to manage the disease.
Ndugwa made the remarks at the function were a Kampala business tycoon Jack Pemba donated 50 million shillings to the Uganda sickle cell association. The money will be used to create awareness about the disease and enable sickle cell patients assess basic medical treatment.
The commonest symptoms of sickle cell disease among the children are recurrent fevers, loss of blood and swearing of the hands and feet, and these occur from the age of 3 months to 2years.
Photo: