25,000 sicklers born in Uganda yearly (100md.com)

http://www.100md.com 2006-1-28 xinhuanet

     KAMPALA, Jan. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- At least 25,000 babies in Uganda are born with sickle cells every year, the Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SAU) has said.

    SAU chairman Ruth Mukiibi was quoted by The New Vision newspaper as saying on Saturday that "the government has done little to address this problem and the disease is becoming rampant."

    Mukiibi said there was urgent need for the government to fight the disease more vigorously.

    She advised intending marrieds to always test for sickle cells in the same way they do for HIV/AIDS.

    Mukiibi noted with concern reports that parents discriminate against children suffering from the disease, saying in the last 40years, the highest number of sickle cell cases in the world have been registered among the Bamba in Bundibugyo district in western Uganda.

    "People with sickle cells must enjoy their rights like any other person and if they are cared for and given support, they canalso live longer," the SAU chairman added.

    Sickle cell is a disease which the red blood cells have a curved shape, causing general weakness and illness. Enditem