Activists ask gov’t to inject more funds in Sickle cell treatment

By Charles Katabalwa

8^th Sept 2021

Government has been challenged to allocate more funds to treat sickle cell disease like it’s to other diseases such as AIDS/HIV, Malaria and now Covid-19 to save families, communities and those suffering from the disease.

In Uganda approximately 25,000 to 30,000 children are born with sickle cells every year and in a recent survey by the ministry of health it was discovered that 13.2% of Ugandans have sickle cell trait.

Tracy Nagawa the Executive Director Uganda sickle cell Rescue Foundation (USCRF) while addressing Journalists this Tuesday in Kampala said that although government is giving support to sickle cell patients, it’s not enough which has caused a lot of deaths in the country and it has worsened during Covid19 pandemic. 5 of their clients have been reported dead due to poor medication because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Nagawa adds that well equipped clinics in all regions of the country are needed to ease the life of patients, funds for awareness campaigns in the media among other if Uganda is to save lives of Ugandans living with sickle cells.

This comes as Uganda is marking the month of September that was dedicated as a sickle cells awareness month, and called on lovers and couples to always seek of check up for sickle before marriage to avoid it’s spread.

However Nagawa has commended Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Buganda Kingdom at large for their initiative to support sicklers and public awareness thought Kabaka Birthday run initiative.