On Saturday (12th November 2016) Sickle Cell Network Uganda in partnership with Masaba Community Care Program a Community Based Organization conducted a sickle cell community outreach in Masaba Village, Masaba Sub County, Busia District in Eastern Uganda. Busia is a border district on Uganda-Kenya border, in Eastern Uganda. Eastern Uganda rank second with the highest rate of Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait Uganda according to the 2015 Uganda Sickle Cell Survey results.
The outreach involved a number of activities including sickle cell disease education, home care management training, counseling and free sickle cell screening. The outreach attracted over 200 people from Busia and Tororo district and even from across the border in Kenya. 87 people were screened of their sickle cell trait status.
Anyango Betty a resident of Tororo district said “I came from Tororo to come and get information about sickle cell disease. They tested me and found out that am a sickle cell trait carrier but I get pain like someone who has sickle cell disease. Am happy that I have gotten more information on sickle cell trait which is going to help me manage my pains”
Auma Christine a mother to two boys with sickle cell disease said “I have been always worried about my son bedwetting even at his age of 14. His young siblings stopped bedwetting many years ago. I have been stressing him to stop and did not know that it’s related to sickle cell. Since I have known I will just help him not to wet his bed without shouting at him.”
“My friend told me that there are going to teach us about sickle cell and I asked my mother to bring me here. Am happy that I have learnt a lot which I did not know before, especially concerning my reproductive health” Ouma Michael (16 years) a sickle cell patient from Bumala in Kenya.
Pastor Fredrick Masiga the head of Grace Mission Church Masaba pledged to take on the sickle cell awareness message to his church. Religious leaders influence much the public opinion.
Nabadda Martha the Health Educator and Promoter of Masaba Community Care Programme noted “It is always exciting for me and the Masaba Community Care Programme to have a team visit this local village! The people are overwhelmed with happiness when they learn that someone is at least concerned about their well-being. And hence respond efficiently when called upon. I was particularly amazed by the number of children who seemingly had SCD already. But was also encouraged by the diligence the adults showed when they attentively listened during the health talk and by the questions they asked.”
She also assured us that Masaba Community Care Program will continue to create sickle cell awareness in the community.
Many patients and caregivers decried the poor healthcare management which compels them to cross the border and seek treatment from neighboring Kenya. Busia has a district hospital which is few kilometers from Masaba.
There are many husbands who deny fathering children with sickle cell. We are hopeful that with the screening and knowing their status they would be able to own up and take care of their children.
