19th June – World Sickle Cell Day
Author and institutional affiliation: Yasiini Nuwamanya, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala. Correspondence: Tel: 256773120564, Email: ynuwamanya@uniph.go.ug
On 19th June every year marks the commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
The goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.
Globally, 5% of the population carries trait genes for sickle-cell disease and over 300 000 children are born with the disease each year.
A child acquires the disease only if they inherit two sickle cell genes, one from each parent.
The effect of the disease on the population can be effectively reduced through effective treatment disease management and prevention programmes.
Screening and counseling before marriage or pregnancy is the key to preventing of sickle cell disease.
