Teso–Karamoja Muslim Region launches major sickle cell testing campaign

Teso: The Regional Assistant Mufti Teso–Karamoja Muslim Region Sheikh Obilan Abubakar the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in partnership with the Ministry of Health on Friday launched a major sickle cell testing campaign following a comprehensive training session for community members and health volunteers aiming at increasing early detection and awareness across the region, where many families continue to face the silent burden of sickle cell disease.

Ramazan Yassin, the National Coordinator for Sickle Cell Awareness and Testing from the Ministry of Health said the campaign seeks to control the rising burden, noting that Teso infection rates ranks second countrywide, with Lango Sub–region leading, emphasizing that many communities mainly lack adequate knowledge about the disease.

Ramadhan further revealed that Atutur hospital in just a span of two years, the number of sickle cell patients raised from 750 to 1,500 patients which is 50 percent increment. This rate would give the region at least 3,000 Sicklers in less than 5 years. This rapid rate is extremely high and if no seriously deliberate interventions made, will become a huge health crisis in the region.

Sheikh Obilan said the training was a deliberate strategy of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council to make a rapid intervention towards the fight against the surging numbers of sickle cell patients in the region.

The Sheikh emphasized that Sickle Cells is supposedly not a disease, it is a condition that if cautiously approached can be avoided. “Once a carrier avoids a carrier partner, there are no chances of giving birth to a Sickler. It is a disease born by two carriers” Sheikh added.

He further added that the wide spread of sickle cell disease in the region is because of ignorance. “Out of ignorance and misdirected priority among the youth today, Girls fear pregnancy than contracting HIV/AIDS. For those preparing to marry, only test for HIV and ignore testing for Sickle Cells. That is the reason some families in Teso have more than three (3) Sicklers which imposes a huge financial burden to already a pitiable regional economy. Frequenting health facility for more than 3 times a week for the entire life span of a Sickler is simply unbearable” Sheikh Obilan noted.

The RAM stated that, Sickle Cell has religiously dwindled the spiritual heath of the faithful community. “Many of the affected families have lost faith in and Love for God thinking that their children were bewitched and God has abandoned them so they are undergoing some kind of punishment, which is not true” RAM said.

This health burden, has also contributed to Gender Based Violence (GBV) greatly due to suspicion among the family members as they embark on accusations and counter accusations concerning the cause of the disease. Sheikh stated.

He explained that this was the underlying reason for the partnership between Uganda Muslim Supreme Council with the Ministry of Health to training a volunteer health team of 60 youth identified from all districts of Teso to start massive testing of Sickle Cells among the youth and married families and also offer supportive services to sickle cell victims.

Having attained the training, the health volunteer team expressed gratitude for the new knowledge and skills gained. They highlighted lessons on early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and the importance of community sensitization saying that this training has empowered them to return to their communities better prepared to guide families and encourage testing. They vowed to adopt snow ball approach, home to home, churches, Mosques, health centres and other public places to cause rapid awareness about the disease and offering testing and support services to members of the community who will volunteer to be tested.

His Eminence Sheikh Obilan Abubakar Umar the Regional Assistant to the Mufti, who was the Chief Guest urged both cultural and religious leaders of all denominations at all levels in the region to unite and take immediate steps emphasizing that defeating the disease requires collective responsibility, strengthened awareness, and strong collaboration across all sectors. He further called upon NGOs, CSOs and other development partners to join his office to support the health Campaign.

Sheikh Obilan also declared plans to conduct Health Camps across the Region to support the vulnerable communities in accessing free quality health care services. He calls on ministry of Health through its Test and Treat unit and other health players to come on board and support the intended massive health Campaign across Teso and Karamoja.

After the training of volunteers, the Sickle Cell Massive testing campaign was officially launched and the volunteers received test kits with relevant materials and instructions were given, in order to facilitate effective testing campaign. The exercise was rolled out with at least 100 people tested.

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