Health 21 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Eyes Pre-Marriage Sickle Cell Testing Strategy
The Ministry of Health is finalizing a comprehensive strategy to combat sickle cell disease, including advocating for testing before marriage and expanding access to treatment and diagnostics. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/sickle-cell-govt-plans-wider-testing-before-marriage-5602902
The Ugandan Ministry of Health is set to implement a robust strategy aimed at curbing the impact of sickle cell disease across the nation. A key component of this plan, according to Director General of Health Services Dr. Charles Olaro, is promoting public awareness and encouraging individuals to undergo testing before entering into marriage.
This proactive approach seeks to empower people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. The strategy will focus on early detection, with plans to integrate screening into school curricula and community outreach programs. By identifying potential carriers and affected individuals early, the government hopes to reduce the incidence of the disease and its associated complications.
“We will start from schools and communities so that by the time people reach reproductive age, they are able to make better choices,” Dr. Olaro stated. “In the strategy, we would really advise that you test before you get into a marriage.”
The ministry is also enhancing access to essential medicines like hydroxyurea and improving diagnostic capabilities within the country. Recent efforts have seen the donation of a significant quantity of hydroxyurea doses and a substantial fundraising effort through the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda’s Sickle Cell Run, which raised over Shs50 million.
Furthermore, the government is exploring advanced treatment options, including gene therapy, and aims to decentralize medication access by making essential drugs available at lower-level health facilities. The initiative also involves collaboration with cultural and religious leaders to foster greater understanding and reduce stigma surrounding sickle cell disease.
Recent estimates suggest that between 0.7% and 1% of Uganda’s population lives with sickle cell disease, with approximately 13% carrying the trait. The Busoga sub-region has been identified as having a particularly high prevalence, prompting targeted interventions and support from pharmaceutical companies and local initiatives.