Sicklers warned on herbalists
Aug 02, 2010
THE Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SAU) has warned people suffering from sickle cell anemia against seeking treatment from herbalists.
By Andante Okanya
THE Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SAU) has warned people suffering from sickle cell anemia against seeking treatment from herbalists.
Ruth Nankanja, the chairperson and founder of the association, on Saturday said many dubious herbalists were running adverts on local FM radio stations, claiming they have herbs that cure the disease.
“Sickle cell disease cannot be cured like that. It is only the borne marrow that can be changed to produce normal red blood cells,†Nankanja said.
Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder where red blood cells form an abnormal and rigid sickle-like shape.
Nankanja was speaking at Mulago Nursing School after a charity walk organised by SAU and the Uganda-America Sickle Cell Rescue Fund (UASCRF).
The walk was meant to raise awareness on the sickle cell disease.
Pupils from Makerere University Primary School, Kitante and Ahmadiyya primary schools carried placards warning against discrimination and stigmatisation of those suffering from the disease.
Nankanja said the association received complaints from many people who admitted that they had been duped into paying large sums of money for non-effective herbs.
She advised those suffering from the disease to instead use the money to improve their nutrition by having a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to SAU, 20% of Ugandans carry the sickle cell gene, while over 30,000 babies are born with sickle cell anemia.
Its symptoms include jaundice, severe pain and swelling of the fingers and toes and damage to body tissue.
Capt. Lukiah Mulumba, the UASCRF chairperson and founder, reiterated Nankanja’s call, saying her daughter, Miriam Mulumba, aged 9, was cured of the disease after undergoing a bone marrow transplant in the US.
According to the World Health Organisation, the disease causes 60% of deaths worldwide, with 80% occuring in low and middle income countires.
During the past week, SAU and UASCRF carried out a sensitisation drive, where they visited a number of hospitals in Kampala and taught about the disease.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed modern sickle cell centre at Kawanda in Wakiso district was also held on Thursday.
The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Namirembe Diocese, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira.
THE Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SAU) has warned people suffering from sickle cell anemia against seeking treatment from herbalists.
Ruth Nankanja, the chairperson and founder of the association, on Saturday said many dubious herbalists were running adverts on local FM radio stations, claiming they have herbs that cure the disease.
“Sickle cell disease cannot be cured like that. It is only the borne marrow that can be changed to produce normal red blood cells,†Nankanja said.
Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder where red blood cells form an abnormal and rigid sickle-like shape.
Nankanja was speaking at Mulago Nursing School after a charity walk organised by SAU and the Uganda-America Sickle Cell Rescue Fund (UASCRF).
The walk was meant to raise awareness on the sickle cell disease.
Pupils from Makerere University Primary School, Kitante and Ahmadiyya primary schools carried placards warning against discrimination and stigmatisation of those suffering from the disease.
Nankanja said the association received complaints from many people who admitted that they had been duped into paying large sums of money for non-effective herbs.
She advised those suffering from the disease to instead use the money to improve their nutrition by having a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to SAU, 20% of Ugandans carry the sickle cell gene, while over 30,000 babies are born with sickle cell anemia.
Its symptoms include jaundice, severe pain and swelling of the fingers and toes and damage to body tissue.
Capt. Lukiah Mulumba, the UASCRF chairperson and founder, reiterated Nankanja’s call, saying her daughter, Miriam Mulumba, aged 9, was cured of the disease after undergoing a bone marrow transplant in the US.
According to the World Health Organisation, the disease causes 60% of deaths worldwide, with 80% occuring in low and middle income countires.
During the past week, SAU and UASCRF carried out a sensitisation drive, where they visited a number of hospitals in Kampala and taught about the disease.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed modern sickle cell centre at Kawanda in Wakiso district was also held on Thursday.
The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Namirembe Diocese, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira.