Establish more sickle cell clinics

These health centres will run into the same crisis the sickle cell clinic is currently facing: inadequate manpower, yet sickle cell patients require special care. We must invest more resources in the health sector, provide funds to educate people ...

Reports that Mulago sickle cell clinic, Uganda’s only special clinic, is overwhelmed by the growing number of people diagnosed with sickle cell disease and inadequate manpower, calls for an urgent review of sickle cell management in this country.

The Sickle Cell Association of Uganda must be commended for representing the interests of patients and creating awareness to the wider public about the disease. This is a positive effort in fighting the stigma and discrimination against patients that are common in our communities. It is through education, counselling and support groups that the lives of those affected by this disease will improve.

According to the association, it is increasingly becoming difficult to give patients proper care, largely because the demand for sickle cell services has not been matched by the availability of manpower and other healthcare infrastructure in the country.

It is unacceptable that only one clinic is expected to effectively serve all the sickle cell patients from across the country. Data from the clinic shows that this year, the centre received 8,770 patients, up from 4,000 in 2005. This clinic, disturbingly, has one clinical officer and one medical doctor.

Though the Ministry of Health says there are no immediate plans to establish sickle cell clinics at all the country’s referral hospitals, we strongly feel there is genuine need to open sickle cell support centres at regional level to reduce the workload at Mulago hospital, and ensure that patients in rural areas have access to the necessary care and support.

The ministry’s option of advising patients to use the help of the two medical doctors who will be put at every health centre III and IV is good but not workable. These health centres will run into the same crisis the sickle cell clinic is currently facing: inadequate manpower, yet sickle cell patients require special care.

We must invest more resources in the health sector, provide funds to educate people about sickle cells and avail required medical services to patients. According to health professionals, people with this disease can live full lives, especially if timely steps are taken to seek help. It is, therefore, crucial that patients are supported to live healthy lives through sustained awareness.