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Thousands run for Sickle Cell during the Kabaka Birthday run

The annual Kabaka birthday run has for the past three years supported the screening and mass sensitization about sickle cell disease.

The 3rd and final run aimed at creating awareness for sickle cell disease took place on Sunday April 7, 2019 and was flagged off by His Royal Highness the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II at Lubiri, Mengo.

 

The amount of support garnered from this annual run has been steadily increasing over the past three years, with the most recent one in 2018 supporting the purchase of test kits worth over 200million shillings.

 

More people today know their status while many more have adequate knowledge about the disease. Increased advocacy and mass sensitization continues across the country to reach the masses.

 

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine urged couples to test for sickle cell and know their status before marriage. “If any of you has a sickle cell trait, chances are high that your children will be affected by Sickle Cell Disease” she informed the mass gathering.

Days leading up to the Kabaka Run saw hundreds and thousands of Ugandans receive free testing and screening services of the Sickle Cell trait.

 

The National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic services department of the Ministry of Health appreciates His Royal Highness the Kabaka, Buganda Kingdom and all the partners that have supported this noble cause