Sickle cell anemic families in Pader district have yesterday, 19th June 2022 raised concerns over a silent killer known as sickle cell; that has claimed the lives of many without recognition at the district level among the diseases that the government treats.
Sunday Atoo, a resident of Nagwela village, Gojani Parish, Atanga sub-county in Pader district, and a mother of an anemic child said that the disease is deadly and can claim life if not taken seriously. She further urged the government to intervene and provide the necessary support to the affected families.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hannah Apyio, the Pader acting district health officer made comments that the disease is there and the vaccine is not provided at the district health centers unless when one goes to big government hospitals like Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala city.
Dr. Charles Kiyaga, the National Sickle Cell Coordinator under the ministry of health in Uganda said that Sickle Cell is not only a disease because it impacts all aspects of life including social-economic and cultural aspects of society.
"I urged locals to attend medical checkups for proper care for sickle cell patients," Dr. Kiyaga adds.
In Uganda, it is estimated that about 20,000 babies are born with sickle cell every year but 80 percent of them die early also, and about 11,000 children under 5 years die as a result of the disease every year which translates to about 30 babies dying every day.
Sickle Cell is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells (RBCs) become sickle/crescent-shaped causing frequent infections, swelling in the hands and legs, pain, severe tiredness, and delayed growth or puberty.
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