Lira |On October 5, 2024, Lira City hosted the first ever sickle cell run to raise funds and awareness about the disease.
The “Uhuru Sickle Cell Run” organizers, led by Catherine Phil Sickle Support Initiative, promised to use the proceeds to benefit the patients’ well-being.
Weeks after the run was held, on October 23, HB electrophoresis machines were handed over to the management of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
“This momentous occasion signifies a vital advancement in the management and diagnosis of sickle cell disease within the region,” Catherine Phil Sickle Support Initiative, said in a statement to tndNews.
“The acquisition of these machines was made possible through the generous contributions raised during the inaugural Uhuru Sickle Cell Run, held on October 5, 2024, in Lira City, which garnered an impressive total of 47,131,000 Ugandan Shillings,” the statement further reads.
The handover ceremony was graced by numerous distinguished stakeholders, including representatives from Stanbic Bank Lira branch led by branch manager Ben Olwol, and Alfred Oyat.
Catherine Phil stated that their participation highlights the essential partnership between financial institutions and health initiatives dedicated to enhancing healthcare services in Uganda.
Dr. Julie Ocol, a paediatrician at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and the Lango sub-region’s appointed focal point for sickle cell disease, also attended the handover.
She emphasised the critical role of medical professionals in advocating for improved resources and support for those affected by sickle cell disease.
At the helm of Catherine Phil Sickle Support Initiative during this significant handover was Daniel Roy Odur, the Chief Executive Officer. “His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to tackling sickle cell disease through community engagement and resource mobilization have been instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition.”
The advent of these HB electrophoresis machines is poised to greatly enhance the diagnostic prowess for sickle cell disease at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and its neighbouring regions. “Timely and precise diagnosis is essential for the effective management of sickle cell disease, ultimately fostering improved health outcomes for those impacted.”
tndNews understands that another HB electrophoresis machine is set to be presented to Alebtong district on October 28, 2024, further illustrating the Initiative’s unwavering dedication to broadening access to essential diagnostic tools across various regions.
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