Sickle Cell Trait Could Double to 50% of Uganda’s Population in 10 Years, Warns Medic
Medical experts in Uganda warn that the prevalence of the sickle cell trait could reach 50% within a decade if awareness and testing are not improved. The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda is launching a charity run to fund access to essential medications like hydroxyurea.
Why it matters
Sickle cell disease represents a significant public health burden in Africa, and proactive screening and affordable treatment are essential to reducing child mortality.
Medical professionals have warned that sickle cell trait in Uganda’s population could double in the next 10 years if nothing is done to contain the disease. Uganda has a population of 46 million. However, medics say that 24% — 1 in 4 Ugandans — have the sickle cell trait. In Uganda today, 20,000 children are born with sickle cell disease every year. Many of these die before their sixth birthday.
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