Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Caretakers of sickle cell anemia patients in Gulu district have decried what they call the prohibitive price of hydroxyurea, a drug believed to greatly reduce painful episodes in people with sickle cell. Sickle cell is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to form …
Read More »Patients find no magic in Hydroxyurea; the sickle cell wonder pill
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | 24-year-old Matilda Nanyondo was born with sickle cell, a genetic disease of the red blood cells. Most of her childhood was associated with very painful episodes, blood transfusions and long stays in hospitals. But, two years ago she was introduced to hydroxyurea, branded as a …
Read More »Researcher roots for access to Hydroxyurea drug for all sicklers
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Researchers are calling for open access to hydroxyurea, the only effective drug proven to reduce the frequency of painful episodes among persons with sickle cell disease. They say that the drug should be given to everyone who battles the painful hereditary blood disorder without discrimination. …
Read More »Ministry of Health launches sickle cell treatment guidelines
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has launched the first-ever treatment guidelines for sickle cell disease to standardize the kind of care health workers give patients at specific points of care. Launched at an event to mark the International Sickle Cell day on Friday afternoon, Dr …
Read More »Sickle cell patients cry out as ‘magic’ drug remains scarce
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Less than 20 per cent of suffers of sickle cell anaemia can access the ‘magic’ drug – hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea, a myelosuppressive agent, is the only effective drug proven to reduce the frequency of painful episodes and the need for blood transfusions, among persons living with …
Read More »