Mulago Hospital Sees Over 900 New Sickle Cell Cases Annually

Mulago National Referral Hospital is grappling with a significant number of new sickle cell disease cases, with around 40 patients being diagnosed weekly. This translates to an annual figure of 960 new cases admitted to the facility, according to Dr. Deogratius Munube, a consultant pediatrician.

Dr. Munube highlighted that sickle cell disease is currently the primary reason for admissions in the hospital’s emergency unit. He further noted that an estimated 20,000 children are born with the condition in Uganda each year, and about 13 percent of the general population carry the sickle cell gene, with nearly 2 percent having the disease.

This situation is compounded by the recent commissioning of Uganda’s first hydroxyurea manufacturing plant by Quality Chemical Industries Limited. Hydroxyurea is a crucial medication for managing sickle cell complications. Previously imported and costly, local production is expected to significantly reduce its price, making it more accessible.

Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, lauded the development as a transformative step in addressing sickle cell disease in Uganda. She emphasized that local manufacturing will improve the availability and affordability of this life-saving drug, which has been added to the national list of essential medicines. The government is working to integrate sickle cell care into mainstream health services, aiming for wider accessibility.

The new facility is projected to benefit approximately one million sickle cell patients within Uganda and across the region, marking a significant stride towards self-reliance in healthcare solutions for Africa.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mulago-registers-over-900-new-sickle-cell-cases-annually-5467418