By Ben Musanje
Uganda’s Ministry of Health has issued a stark warning about the growing public health threat of sickle cell disease, cautioning that if left unchecked, it could surpass HIV in its impact on the nation’s healthcare system.
The warning came during a Media Breakfast Meeting at the Ministry of Health headquarters, organized to mark the official launch of nationwide mandatory newborn screening for sickle cell disease. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve early detection, prevention, and care for children affected by this genetic condition.
Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, led the event in the absence of three ministers who were recently participated in the parliamentary elections and won. Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng contested for Lira City Woman MP, Margaret Muhanga ran for Fort Portal North MP and State Minister for Primary Health Care, while State Minister for Health (General Duties) Hanifah Kawooya contested for Mawogola West MP.
Dr. Atwine highlighted the devastating toll of sickle cell disease on children. “Out of 20,000 children born with sickle cell disease each year, around 6,000 die before their fifth birthday,” she said. “If we do not act now, sickle cell will be the biggest health burden in Uganda in the next 20 years, surpassing HIV. It will drain our resources and overwhelm our health system.”
She emphasized that the Media Breakfast Meeting aimed to raise awareness among journalists, partners, and the public, making sickle cell disease a visible and urgent national concern. “We want this to stop being an under-the-table disease. It is time that everybody talks about it, understands it, and acts to prevent it,” she said.
The new nationwide program integrates prevention, diagnosis, and care into Uganda’s public health system. Newborns will be screened across the country using rapid diagnostic tests to identify affected infants early, while specialized sickle cell clinics provide expert care for children with complications, including organ failure.
The program also ensures access to essential medicines, such as hydroxyurea, to reduce disease complications and improve quality of life. Vaccinations and prophylactic care will protect children from infections, lowering morbidity and mortality, while premarital counseling and testing aim to prevent the birth of children with sickle cell disease, following successful models in countries like Egypt.
Dr. Atwine stressed the importance of public awareness and accurate information, warning against harmful myths and practices, including reliance on witchcraft. “No amount of witchcraft can cure sickle cell. It is inherited, and the best tools we have are prevention and early care,” she said. She also highlighted the strain sickle cell places on blood supplies. “Children with sickle cell are ‘blood guzzlers.’ If we do not manage this disease, it will increase demand on our already critical blood resources for mothers, malaria patients, and cancer care,” Dr. Atwine explained.
Calling on media, religious leaders, cultural leaders, and civil society, she urged collective action to promote early testing, treatment, and prevention. “We cannot fight this disease alone. Everyone has a role to play to ensure mothers understand, children are screened, and communities are educated,” she said.
The Media Breakfast Meeting also served to thank partners and healthcare workers who have been instrumental in sickle cell care. Dr. Atwine recognized doctors, laboratory technicians, and clinicians nationwide for their dedication. “This is a long journey, but it begins with a single step. By raising awareness, strengthening screening, and improving care, we can reduce sickle cell-related deaths and improve the lives of affected children. If we act now, we can prevent a crisis that could rival HIV in its impact on our country,” she concluded.
The Ministry of Health is committed to scaling up the program, ensuring availability of test kits and essential medicines even at the lowest-level health facilities, and continuing to train health workers. The initiative represents a bold step in Uganda’s effort to confront a disease that has long remained in the shadows, promising a future where no child dies unnecessarily from sickle cell disease. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
