Busoga Kingdom Decries Rise in Sickle Cell Cases

By Abraham Lincoln

Busoga

 Busoga Kingdom second deputy Prime Minister Al-Haji Osman Ahmed Noor  expressed worries over the increased  and  alarming numbers of sickle cell  children born in Busoga sub  region.

According to Al-Haji Osman, the situation of numbers of sickle cell children is on the rise with over 5,000 children born annually suffering from sickle cell disease, while as a mortality rate of 80% before the age of five, ranking it among the highest-burden Busoga regions shares with the rest of the country.

While officiating as the chief runner of the 3rd edition of the Sickle Cell Marathon in Jinja City on Monday morning at Rugby grounds organized by Raising Hope International, an NGO based in Bukoto with the aim of creating awareness of the disease, he pointed that the surging number needs urgent attention

“Despite government’s efforts to set up sickle cell centres of excellence and improved treatment services, Busoga continues to face challenges such as limited public awareness, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, misdiagnoses and financial challenges where most families fail from accessing proper Medicare” Al Haji Osman pointed out.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Stabex International, Fort bet Uganda, and Pride Microfinance, along with other partners, for their generous support. A special thanks to Raising Hope International and Friends (RHIF) for its dedicated advocacy in their fundraising efforts, which have led to the procurement of a sickle cell testing machine, benefiting over 400 individuals so far, Al-Haji Osman remarked.

He said that there is a need to increase awareness through churches, schools, and communities so that we ensure early detection and proper management of sickle cell disease .

He added that Busoga Kingdom is playing a pivotal role in supporting health initiatives within the region, and remains committed to implementing and supporting programs that improve healthcare services for the people.

 Isaac Okello, the Executive Director of Raising Hope International said that they will go ahead and continue to   raise awareness about prevention of Sickle Cell disease.