Qcil and partners call for greater sickle cell awareness in Lango
Discussions focused on how regional leadership and health systems can be strengthened to improve sickle cell prevention, care and management. Participants also emphasized the need for coordinated community education, testing, timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and sustained follow-up care for people living with the condition.
Some of the participants who took part in the Sickle Cell Run. (Courtesy)
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Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) and other health stakeholders have called for stronger regional leadership, greater public awareness, early diagnosis and improved access to treatment as the Lango Sub-Region strengthens its response to sickle cell disease.
The call was made at the Lango Regional Sickle Cell Stakeholders Summit 2026 in Lira. The summit brought together officials from the Ministry of Health, implementing partners fighting sickle cell disease, healthcare professionals, and key community stakeholders, including cultural and religious leaders from across the Lango Sub-Region.
Discussions focused on how regional leadership and health systems can be strengthened to improve sickle cell prevention, care and management. Participants also emphasized the need for coordinated community education, testing, timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and sustained follow-up care for people living with the condition.
Rohit Datar, Head of Business Development and Private Market at Qcil, said increased public awareness is critical in communities where limited knowledge about the disease can contribute to delayed diagnosis, misconceptions and difficulties in accessing appropriate care.
Datar said local production of hydroxyurea is expected to improve availability and affordability while reducing Uganda's dependence on imported supplies.
“To help support the fight against sickle cell disease, we have launched locally manufactured hydroxyurea, a development that will improve treatment access, reduce costs and strengthen the country's pharmaceutical independence,” Datar noted.
He said local manufacture of the medicine should be seen as more than a pharmaceutical milestone, describing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen Uganda's capacity to respond to long-term public health challenges.
Stakeholders at the summit stressed that access to treatment must be accompanied by greater public awareness. Early diagnosis enables patients to begin appropriate management and follow-up, while knowledge of one's sickle cell status can help individuals and families make informed health decisions.
“Through our participation, Qcil joined other stakeholders in encouraging communities to seek early testing and appropriate medical care while helping to challenge misconceptions and stigma associated with sickle cell disease,” Datar said.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that affects haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. People living with the condition require regular medical care and access to appropriate medicines to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
The Ministry of Health has also indicated plans to expand access to hydroxyurea through lower-level health facilities progressively. This would bring treatment closer to patients and reduce the distance families must travel to obtain essential care.
Lira Regional Referral Hospital has reported providing chronic sickle cell care to more than 1,780 registered patients. Health officials, however, believe that more people, particularly in rural communities, may remain undiagnosed.
For communities in the Lango Sub-Region, the summit and the run reinforced a shared message: stronger leadership, better health systems, informed communities, and accessible treatment must work together to improve sickle cell prevention, care, and management and end stigma.