Ugandans urged to embrace early screening for sickle cell disease

What the report says

Nile Post reports that health experts in Uganda are encouraging the public to seek early screening for sickle cell disease, saying many people may have the inherited blood disorder without a diagnosis. The appeal was made during a health awareness campaign, where Wakiso District Health Officer Dr. Mathias Lugoloobi said delayed detection can contribute to complications, late treatment and deaths that could be avoided with earlier care.

According to the report, Lugoloobi described sickle cell disease as one of Uganda’s common inherited conditions and said some patients only learn of their status after serious illness develops. He warned that low awareness can lead families to misinterpret symptoms, including seeking help from traditional healers or attributing illness to witchcraft, instead of accessing medical diagnosis and treatment.

Lugoloobi also emphasized that sickle cell disease is passed genetically from parents to children and is not spread by touch or ordinary contact. He said some people living with the condition may look well but remain at higher risk of infections and other complications if they do not receive proper management.

The report says health experts are urging families to use screening, genetic counselling and routine medical follow-up to improve health outcomes. Couples planning to have children were also encouraged to learn their sickle cell status so they can make informed decisions and seek timely support. More broadly, sickle cell disease is a lifelong condition that can require consistent care, making early diagnosis important for prevention, treatment planning and public health education.