Health 16 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
New Shs500m Sickle Cell Clinic Opens at Kayunga Hospital
A new Shs500 million sickle cell clinic and training centre has opened at Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, significantly improving access to specialized care for patients in six central Ugandan districts. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/new-shs500m-sickle-cell-clinic-opens-at-kayunga-hospital-to-serve-six-districts-5499160
A much-needed Shs500 million sickle cell clinic and training centre has been inaugurated at Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital (KRRH). This new facility, named the Shifa Sickle Cell Clinic and Training Centre, is set to enhance diagnosis and treatment for sickle cell disease across Kayunga, Luweero, Buvuma, Nakasongola, Buikwe, and Mukono districts.
The project was made possible through funding from the Islamic Centre for Education and Research (ICFER). During the commissioning ceremony, Prince Kassim Nakibinge, the titular head of Muslims in Uganda, lauded ICFER’s commitment to healthcare and encouraged widespread sickle cell screening.
Prince Nakibinge also urged the government to increase health sector funding and reconsider its policy on intern doctors, highlighting the critical doctor-to-patient ratio challenge in Uganda. He further appealed to ICFER and its international partners to consider supporting the establishment of a blood bank at KRRH to ensure a consistent supply for the region.
Dr. Sophia Nakitto, a pediatrician at KRRH, noted that delayed diagnosis often leads to severe complications for sickle cell patients, including kidney failure. The hospital has been actively promoting screening and testing in local health facilities to facilitate early detection. Currently, KRRH provides care to 2,734 sickle cell patients.
ICFER’s CEO, Yusuf Jjemba, stated the organization’s decision to fund the center was driven by observing the challenges healthcare workers faced. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, emphasized that sickle cell disease is a major inherited health condition in Uganda, affecting numerous children annually and posing access challenges for families.
The Ministry of Health is working to expand newborn screening, improve diagnostic capabilities, ensure medicine availability, and integrate sickle cell services into lower-level health centers. The new clinic and dedicated pediatric ward are expected to offer a more supportive environment for specialized treatment and long-term patient management. Local leaders also used the opportunity to advocate for essential equipment like a CT scan machine at KRRH.