Masindi grapples with shortage of sickle cell drugs as district launches awareness run
"The proceeds from this awareness run will help us continue providing care, treatment support and other essential services to children living with sickle cell disease," Kagoro said.
Masindi: Masindi District is facing a shortage of essential sickle cell medication and screening kits, with health officials warning that inadequate supplies are affecting the management of patients and limiting early diagnosis.
The concern was raised on Thursday during the launch of the Masindi Sickle Cell Awareness Run 2026 at D’Venue Hotel in Masindi Town. The event was organized by the Austin Sickle Cell Support Organization (AUSSO) to raise awareness and mobilize support for children living with sickle cell disease.
According to Daniel Byaruhanga Kwesiga, the Senior Clinical Officer in charge of sickle cell patients at Masindi General Hospital, Uganda ranks fifth in Africa for sickle cell cases. He said while the national prevalence stands at 3 percent, Masindi records a prevalence of about 2 percent but continues to experience shortages of essential medicines, particularly at lower health facilities.
“The district continues to experience inadequate supplies of sickle cell drugs, especially at lower health facilities. We also lack enough screening kits to establish accurate figures, although we expect more kits this financial year,” Byaruhanga said.
He urged communities to embrace screening and awareness, noting that sickle cell disease is inherited and can be reduced through informed decision-making and early testing.
Masindi District LCV Chairperson Patrick Wobusobozi said greater emphasis should have been placed on prevention years ago and called for intensified community sensitization on sickle cell disease.
“We need to invest more in prevention and awareness. As the district, we shall also lobby for a specialized sickle cell clinic and recruitment of specialists as the expansion of Masindi Hospital progresses,” Wobusobozi said.
Masindi Municipality Mayor Rogers Amanyire encouraged young people planning to marry to undergo genetic screening before starting families.
“Young people intending to marry should first know their sickle cell status so that together they can make informed decisions and help reduce the number of children born with sickle cell disease,” Amanyire said.
Ann Nabukeya Kagoro, the Chief Executive Officer of AUSSO, said the organization currently supports 50 children living with sickle cell disease.
“The proceeds from this awareness run will help us continue providing care, treatment support and other essential services to children living with sickle cell disease,” Kagoro said.
The Masindi Sickle Cell Awareness Run is scheduled for September 23, 2026, at St. Matthew’s Cathedral Grounds in Masindi Town.
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