Government has been advised to increase the number
of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) specialists in the country as the current
odds are extremely unfavourable. At least 15-20 per cent of children
born in Tanzania have SCD disorders, that is an estimated 8000 to 12000
children annually, making it one of the countries with the greatest
number of SCD cases in the World.
“In the years 2009-2010 I did screening which showed that 14 per cent of 2108 babies were born with the blood disorder, they were sickle cell carriers,” says Dr Stella Rwezaura, a Sickle Cell specialist at Muhimbili National Hospital.
Coupled with the fact that, Tanzania has only six SCD specialists among whom only one is a woman, Dr. Rwezaura, the situation is as she described it ‘catastrophic.’
“The situation is so fragile and desperate…we have some of the World’s highest number of Sickle Cell cases yet have so few specialists…” she worries but more than raise the problem she advices on the most sound solution.
“I encourage the government to urgently increase the number of specialists…” and for a long term permanent solution she advices “…more emphasis should be done to ensure more children take on science subjects at their earlier years of studies,” she said.
SCD, which is a genetic disorder passed from parent to child, causes great pain to the victim and even though there is medicine to remedy the pain, in Tanzania, access is very limited. To meet this challenge, over 30 children suffering from SDC have received folic acid supplements which greatly reduce the immense pain that SDC sufferers bare all too often.
The folic acid supplements were donated by Emotion Arts Production as part of the organisation’s effort to raise awareness of the disease, its prevalence, spread and means to combat. In that same endeavour, the organisation held a Charity Walk from Kilwa Road up to the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam last weekend.
“Many children have very little access to the full dose of folic acid that they need…we are trying to increase access by raising awareness of the disease,” the Director of Emotion Arts Production, Honeymoon Aljabri said.
Coordinator of Sickle Cell Prevention at Muhimbili Hospital, Dr Deogratius Soka, commended the firm for their assistance saying it will be a great relief for at least six months.
A recipient of the donation, Sadam Almasi (11) a standard two pupil at Chole Primary School in Kisarawe district, Coast region, said there are no pharmacies nor clinics that have the supplements in his home area.
Reminiscing on how much he has been suffering, he expressed extreme gratitude that some relief has come.
His only care taker, who is a grandmother, Fatuma Yombedizera (60) was also overjoyed by the donation saying it will relieve them of those unbearable moments when the pain strikes.
“I am very grateful for the help…since my grandson was diagnosed at age seven, he often suffers great pain and I am always trying to ease the pain to make him happy...” she laments.
“In the years 2009-2010 I did screening which showed that 14 per cent of 2108 babies were born with the blood disorder, they were sickle cell carriers,” says Dr Stella Rwezaura, a Sickle Cell specialist at Muhimbili National Hospital.
Coupled with the fact that, Tanzania has only six SCD specialists among whom only one is a woman, Dr. Rwezaura, the situation is as she described it ‘catastrophic.’
“The situation is so fragile and desperate…we have some of the World’s highest number of Sickle Cell cases yet have so few specialists…” she worries but more than raise the problem she advices on the most sound solution.
“I encourage the government to urgently increase the number of specialists…” and for a long term permanent solution she advices “…more emphasis should be done to ensure more children take on science subjects at their earlier years of studies,” she said.
SCD, which is a genetic disorder passed from parent to child, causes great pain to the victim and even though there is medicine to remedy the pain, in Tanzania, access is very limited. To meet this challenge, over 30 children suffering from SDC have received folic acid supplements which greatly reduce the immense pain that SDC sufferers bare all too often.
The folic acid supplements were donated by Emotion Arts Production as part of the organisation’s effort to raise awareness of the disease, its prevalence, spread and means to combat. In that same endeavour, the organisation held a Charity Walk from Kilwa Road up to the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam last weekend.
“Many children have very little access to the full dose of folic acid that they need…we are trying to increase access by raising awareness of the disease,” the Director of Emotion Arts Production, Honeymoon Aljabri said.
Coordinator of Sickle Cell Prevention at Muhimbili Hospital, Dr Deogratius Soka, commended the firm for their assistance saying it will be a great relief for at least six months.
A recipient of the donation, Sadam Almasi (11) a standard two pupil at Chole Primary School in Kisarawe district, Coast region, said there are no pharmacies nor clinics that have the supplements in his home area.
Reminiscing on how much he has been suffering, he expressed extreme gratitude that some relief has come.
His only care taker, who is a grandmother, Fatuma Yombedizera (60) was also overjoyed by the donation saying it will relieve them of those unbearable moments when the pain strikes.
“I am very grateful for the help…since my grandson was diagnosed at age seven, he often suffers great pain and I am always trying to ease the pain to make him happy...” she laments.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
