25,000 Kids Born With Sickle Cell

By Jude EtyangTHE president of the Global Sickle Cell trust, Professor Graham Serjeant, has said 25,000 babies are born with sickle cell in Uganda annually.He said 80% of the patients die at the age of two years.Graham, who is on a special visit to Uganda, was speaking at a fundraising dinner organised by the Sickle Cell Association of Uganda at Kabira Country Club in Kampala.The dinner worth sh2m, was sponsored by businessman Sudhir Ruparelia. Coca Cola pledged sh500,000, Celtel Uganda contributed $200 and Dehezi Internet providers also made some contribution. The chairman of the association, Ruth Nankanja, said the fundraising was aimed at facilitating a country- wide campaign about the disease and the ways in which patients could improve their lives. Graham said the sickle cell trait in Uganda occurs in 20% of the population. He said sickle cell is more dangerous in the first two years of life and if one survives this high risk period, the chances of survival are high with proper treatment. Graham said in Jamaica where he has worked for 35 years, he has been able to follow up children from birth and identify the major causes of illness. Ends