On July 5th, 2024, Raising Hope International Friends hosted the 3rd Annual Uganda Sickle Cell Convention (#ASCC24) in Jinja. The theme for this year’s convention was “Exploring Innovative Wellness and Preventive Medicine in Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda and Beyond.” The event saw the participation of experts from Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, UK, India, the USA, and Uganda, who shared a wealth of resources and insights on sickle cell disease.
We were able to connect and synergize with various stakeholders, including medical professionals, physicians, researchers, NGOs, advocates, sickle cell warriors, and caregivers. This platform allowed us to exchange experiences, best practices, and challenges, making it a highly celebrated and impactful event for the sickle cell community. Each year, our convention marks significant progress and milestones, contributing to the improved lives of sickle cell warriors.
Discussions covered a range of topics, including the role of blood transfusion in the care and management of sickle cell disease, the progress of the national sickle cell program, ongoing research in Uganda, available diagnostic technologies, life experiences of sickle cell warriors, and perspectives from advocates and caregivers. Best practices, gene therapy, and bone marrow transplantation for sickle cell were also key points of discussion.
Dr. Susan Nabadda, the Commissioner of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostics Services, delivered a keynote address. She emphasized the importance of proper diagnosis in the care of sickle cell disease and commended the choice of her department by Raising Hope International Friends (RHIF) to deliver the keynote. She officially opened the convention with a call to action to fight sickle cell together.
Isaac Okello, Executive Director of Raising Hope International Friends, the host of the convention, expressed gratitude to the sponsors and the Ministry of Health for their technical and financial support in promoting public awareness of sickle cell disease in Uganda. He also thanked the participants for joining the convention and emphasized the importance of a united effort to combat sickle cell in the Busoga sub-region and across Uganda.
