By Charles Katabalwa
17th April 2024
Health Experts have estimated that 93% of Ugandans live with Haemophilia unknowingly.
This comes at a time when Uganda has joined the international community to commemorate the World Hemophilia Day, under the theme “Equitable Access for All”.
Haemophilia is a rare disorder in which the blood doesn’t clot in the typical way because it doesn’t have enough blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors) and its day is marked every April 17.
The Haemophilia Foundation of Uganda (HFU) Executive Secretary, Agnes Kisakye while addressing journalists at Mulago Paramedical School playground during the celebration said that only 7% people in Uganda know their blood clotting status and among these, some receive medication.
She explains her worry that 93% of the number of people who don’t know their blood clotting status are many that they need a serious sensitization for them to know the dangers of haemophilia.
However, Kisakye says that though the medication for haemophilia is available in the country, it is still very expensive for the local person to afford.
Philip Kasirye, a doctor at Mulago National Referral Hospital who is among doctors in Uganda treating Haemophilia says it’s upon Ugandans to embrace a continuous check up to know their status.
He has disclosed that some of the symptoms of Haemophilia include Continuous bleeding if anyone gets a cut on the body such as circumcision, swollen knees, Gam bleeding among others.
END
Next:
Previous:
