The Sickle Cell Association of Uganda is in a drive to fundraise for a construction of a Sickle cell treatment centre worth Shs 250 billion shillings.
According to the Executive Director Sickle cell Association of Uganda, Ruth Nankanja Mukiibi, the mobilization goes to every Ugandan to pay Shs 1,000 to have this hospital in place to help the many vulnerable children born with the cells.
The facility that is expected to be constructed at Namarere in Kawanda will offer treatment to over fifty thousand patients annually.
As such, the Sickle Cell Association together with Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda have asked the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to champion the sickle cell masters run 2018 slated for September 23 whose proceeds will cater for construction of the facility.
However, Nankanja noted that the challenge in collecting this money is that whereas members of the public might be willing to give the Shs 1,000 as contribution, they will eventually incur more costs due to the mobile money taxes.
“The smaller proceeds that we got from last year’s sickle cell run have been used to renovate the small building that was at the headquarters of the Association in Kawanda. Before we build the bigger facility, we thought of setting up such a small centre to work as a day care centre as we mobilize funds for the bigger hospital,” Nankanja said.
The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga acknowledged the move for construction of such a facility that still lacks in the country and promised support as she will mobilize fellow legislators to take this fundraising to their constituents.
She as well vowed to push for a review in the Mobile Money tax as this limits flow of money amongst the people in small businesses.
“I will talk to members about the Shs 1,000 contribution and also participation in the fundraising. Concerning the taxes, I am the biggest opponent of those taxes, we need to fight the lack of access to information by the lay people and it will be handled.”
About 250,000 Ugandans are born with the sickle cell of which 80% die before they celebrate their fifth birthday.
