BY KENEDY MUHINDO
Medicins Sans Frontiers yesterday joined the world to commemorate the World Sickle Cell Day with an awareness function held at the Rwenzori Square in Kasese town.
Dr. Anderson Bwambale, a medic attached to Medicins Health Facility described sickle cell as a serious disease that affects and weakens the blood system and other body organs, reducing and subjecting the victim to severe body pain and weight loss.
According to him, sickle cell spreads through inheritance to newly born babies from their parents.
He condemned the parents who neglect their effected children by isolating them from others, stressing that the disease is not contagious and urged the people to socialize with the sickle cell carriers to prevent the victims from being stigmatized.
Ms Asher Kabayaga, one of the people who attended the function observed the need for the residents not to stigmatize the victims and appealed to the government through the Ministry of Health to also give aid to them the same way it is helping the HIV/AIDS victims.
Mr. Cornelius Mugabi, a victim of sickle cell since birth, told the press that the disease had deteriorated his health and subjected him to severe pain during his school days. Mugabi, who holds a Diploma in Nursing and currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, appealed to the parents to enroll their affected children in schools.
ENDS