World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 250,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease (SCD) annually in Sub-Saharan Africa, and only 10% -50% of them survive beyond five years of age. Data describing the magnitude of the sickle cell problem are lacking in most African countries. The available data on the prevalance were mainly from older studies and small numbers of hospitalized patients. In Uganda, approximately 25,00 children are born with sickle cell disease every year, but unfortunately 70-80% die before their 5th birthday. There is no newborn screening program in the country, and children are often diagnosed late after development of a crisis. With lack of a screening program, diagnosis is usually made late and many children die before they are diagnosed.
In February 2014, the Ministry of Health working in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital based in USA, Makerere University and Sickle Cell Association of Uganda launched a sickle cell survey with the objective of establishing the prevalence and mapping out the entire country. The screening was conducted at Central Public Health Labaratories (CPHL). The survey ended on 31st March 2015. About 100,000 infants from all districts in the country were reached. Data analysis is now complete and the information generated from this survey has given us a clear picture of the prevalance of sickle cell trait and disease across all districts of Uganda. This information will enable the Ministry of Health with its partners, to develop interventions to combat and control the sickle cell burden in the country.
The Ministry of Health with its partners are planning to disseminate results of this survey and launch routine neonatal sickle cell screening in all high burden districts in Uganda. The function will be conducted on the 16th of April 2015 at Makerere University Freedom Square from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Besides the launch of the neonatal screening program, there will be free screening for whoever will wish to be tested at the launch site.
#April16 #besickleaware
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