The Sickle Cell Association of Uganda is looking for over five billion shillings to construct a centre, which will also house a clinic. The Chairperson of the association Ruth Nankanja Mukiibi says construction of the structure expected to start next year, will have over 50 rooms to house laboratory, clinic and modern equipment for operation among others.

The revealation comes in wake of a successful bone-marrow transplant on the first Ugandan in the USA. She says if they get some Sh500m, the construction of the structure will kick off.

Mukiibi says Mariam Mulumba was completely cured of the sickle cell disease, after her brother donated a bone marrow to her. The operation was carried out in October 2008 at Methodist Children’s Hospital, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Mariam is the daughter of Captain Lukiah Nakabembe Mulumba of the US Air force Texas. Captain Mulumba is at the forefront of helping change the face of sickle cell disease in Uganda.

She says the operation which cost US$250,000, might in some years to come be done in Uganda if the centre in build. In the UK, she says, bone marrow transplant costs US$150,000 and US$30,000 in India.

Nankanja Mukiibi adds that 25,000 babies are born with the sickle cell disease in Uganda annually and 80% of them die before they are five years old. The Sickle Cell Association of Uganda has 14,000 registered members country wide, with only 7,000 of the Mulago Hospital Centre.