Rwanda: Sickle Cell - Why Some Patients Are Diagnosed After Serious Complications
[New Times] When Isimbi's son was five months old, she began noticing signs that something was wrong. He cried excessively, developed fevers and blood infections, and often appeared to be in severe pain.
When Isimbi's son was five months old, she noticed signs that something was wrong. He cried excessively, had fevers and blood infections, and appeared in severe pain. At one year and six months, he was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at Kigali's University Teaching Hospital (CHUK). Isimbi, a 30-year-old mother from Masaka, and her husband were unaware they were carriers of the sickle cell gene before they married.
Caring for her son is costly, especially when medicines are unavailable or require private payment. Isimbi's son tires easily and frequently falls ill, particularly during flu seasons or cold winds. Her son's condition affected her job, forcing her to take extended leave. Awareness and testing for sickle cell disease are crucial, especially for couples planning to have children, according to Isimbi.
Dr. Gilbert Uwizeyimana, a haematologist at CHUK, sees almost one newly diagnosed sickle cell patient daily. Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition, and one must inherit the affected gene from both parents to develop it. People are often unaware of the condition, which affects health workers, particularly at health centres and district hospitals.
Symptoms usually begin between three and six months after birth, with painful crises being the most common. Treatment includes supportive care, folic acid, hydroxyurea, and, in some cases, bone marrow transplantation. Earlier diagnosis can significantly improve a patient's quality of life and reduce long-term complications, according to Uwizeyimana.
Greater awareness among communities, health workers, and community health workers is necessary to recognize symptoms and refer patients early. Establishing a national sickle cell programme with a dedicated budget is also recommended.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
