LIRA — Health stakeholders in the Lango Sub-Region have called for stronger regional leadership, increased public awareness, early diagnosis and improved access to treatment as efforts to address sickle cell disease in northern Uganda intensify.
The call was made during the Lango Regional Sickle Cell Stakeholders Summit 2026 in Lira, which brought together Ministry of Health officials, healthcare professionals, implementing partners, cultural and religious leaders and other community stakeholders.
Discussions focused on strengthening regional health systems and community interventions for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of sickle cell disease.
Participants emphasised the need for coordinated community education and increased testing to enable people to know their sickle cell status and access appropriate care early.
Rohit Datar, Qcil’s Head of Business Development and Private Market, said limited knowledge about sickle cell disease can contribute to delayed diagnosis, misconceptions and difficulties accessing treatment.
The summit came as Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) advances the local manufacture of hydroxyurea, a medicine commonly used to manage sickle cell disease.
Hydroxyurea is not a cure for sickle cell disease but can reduce the frequency and severity of some complications, including painful crises.
Datar said local production could improve the availability and affordability of the medicine while reducing Uganda’s dependence on imported supplies.
“To help support the fight against sickle cell disease, we have launched locally manufactured hydroxyurea, a development that will improve treatment access, reduce costs and strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical independence,” Datar said.
He said local production should be accompanied by wider efforts to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to respond to the long-term health needs associated with sickle cell disease.
Stakeholders at the summit said access to medicines alone would not be sufficient without public education and early diagnosis.
Early identification of the condition enables patients to begin appropriate treatment and follow-up, while knowledge of sickle cell status can also help individuals and families make informed health decisions.
The Ministry of Health has indicated plans to progressively expand access to hydroxyurea through lower-level health facilities, a move intended to bring treatment closer to patients and reduce the distance families travel to obtain care.
Lira Regional Referral Hospital currently provides chronic sickle cell care to more than 1,780 registered patients, although health officials believe additional patients, particularly in rural communities, may remain undiagnosed.
The two-day summit concluded with the Uhuru Sickle Cell Run 2026, which brought together people living with sickle cell disease, families, healthcare workers and other stakeholders.
The run was organised to raise awareness, promote solidarity with affected families and challenge stigma associated with the condition.
“Through our participation, Qcil joined other stakeholders in encouraging communities to seek early testing and appropriate medical care while helping to challenge misconceptions and stigma associated with sickle cell disease,” Datar said.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition affecting haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen around the body. People living with the condition require ongoing medical care and access to medicines to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Stakeholders said sustained community awareness, early diagnosis, accessible treatment and follow-up care will be critical to improving outcomes for people living with sickle cell disease in Lango.
The summit brought together regional leaders and health actors to strengthen coordination of those efforts across the sub-region.