80 per cent sickle cell babies die before five years - expert

Ms Nankanjja added that the other challenge they are facing is that there is limited awareness about the disease among the population and because some of its symptoms are similar to other diseases, like yellow fever, it goes untreated.

Every year, 33,000 children are born with sickle cell in Uganda but only 6,600 of these live beyond their fifth birthday.

Speaking in an interview with this newspaper yesterday, the executive director of the Uganda Sickle Cell Association, Ms Ruth Nankanjja Mukiibi, said since most of the cases are spread throughout the country, only few are treated at the hospital.

“That is why 80 per cent (26,400) of these children die before their fifth birthday. This is because 99 per cent of sickle cells in babies presents with swollen toes and fingers. When most people see these symptoms, they treat them as witchcraft. This allows the disease to spread and thus results into death,” Nankanjja explained.

Ms Nankanjja added that the other challenge they are facing is that there is limited awareness about the disease among the population and because some of its symptoms are similar to other diseases, like yellow fever, it goes untreated.

In an earlier interview with this newspaper, the Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, said the ministry was handling all challenges facing the sickle cells clinic in Mulago.

“But we also advise sickle cells patients to use the help of the two medical doctors we are going to put at every health Centre III and IV. We are also going to beef up the man

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