Juba Hospital Confirms Over 300 Sickle Cell Cases

(JUBA) – Health experts have called for cheaper medicines and better access to treatment for people living with sickle cell disease as South Sudan marked its first national commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day.

Speaking at Al Sabah Children’s Hospital in Juba, the head of the hospital’s Haematology and Oncology Unit, Dr Joseph Gore, said the country does not know the national prevalence of sickle cell disease because of limited data collection.

He said health authorities have nevertheless confirmed more than 300 cases in Juba alone and warned that patients continue to face serious challenges accessing treatment.

“Getting blood is not easy. Sometimes you have to go to Al Sabah, then to the National Blood Bank, sometimes to the military, and you still cannot find blood,” Dr Gore said.

He also said South Sudan lacks a national policy and treatment guidelines for sickle cell disease, making patient care more difficult.

The head of the Sickle Cell Support Group, Joseph Noel, urged the government and its partners to make essential medicines, including folic acid and Hydroxyurea, available at subsidised prices or free of charge.

“We want to see the medication that Dr Joseph mentioned, the folic acid, the Hydroxyurea and the rest, available, if not free of charge, then at a subsidised price,” Mr Noel said.

The commemoration at Al Sabah Children’s Hospital aimed to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and push for improved diagnosis, treatment and care across South Sudan.