Health Minister Directs Formation of National Taskforce against Sickle Cell Disease

Lira City: 14th October, 2025.

The Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, has directed the Director General of Health Services to immediately establish a National Taskforce for prevention of Sickle Cell Disease.

The directive was issued during the national launch of the Sickle Cell Prevention and management Scale-Up Programme held at Lira Mayor’s Gardens. 

Dr. Aceng was accompanied by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, Commissioner of the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), Dr. Susan Nabadda, and Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr. Oyoo, alongside Lira City officials.

The day’s activities began with an inspection of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where Dr. Aceng officially opened a new Wellness Center Clinic and Laboratory. The facility will play a key role in screening and managing Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

According to the Minister, the launch followed findings from a sickle cell surveillance report that revealed Lango region has the highest prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda.

“The call today is not only for funding but intentional mobilisation of community leaders to mobilise communities to scale up screening and treatment against SCD. The ministry has also taken deliberate steps to institutionalise SCD. I therefore direct the DG to appoint a national task force for prevention of SCD,” Dr. Aceng declared.

During the event, the Minister also received a donation of 20,000 newborn sickle cell test kits and 2,000 doses of hydroxyurea from the Bristol Myers Children’s Hospital Texas, delivered through the Baylor Foundation Uganda.

Baylor Program Coordinator, Dr. Angela Mirembe, commended the Minister for her passion for children living with Sickle Cell Disease.

Over 20,000 children in Uganda are born with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) each year, and without proper care, many do not live to see their fifth birthday, a reality that calls for urgent and sustained action.

Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, has made significant strides in the fight against SCD, including:

• Becoming the first country in Africa to conduct a nationwide Sickle Cell Disease surveillance;

• Implementing targeted screening in high-prevalence regions;

• Integrating SCD treatment within the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Department; and

• Institutionalising SCD services within the national health system.