BY OKIDI PATRICK
LIRA CITY, UGAANDA: The Paramount Chief of Lango, Dr. Eng. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has called for clan reunification to combat the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the sub-region.
Dr. Eng. Okune while talking to his subjects recently, said persistent clan divisions in Lango sub-region have led to marriages within closely related clan and groups, increasing the risk of passing on the sickle cell trait to children.
“If we continue marrying within the same clans, we shall keep producing children with sickle cell disease. Our people must embrace inter-clan marriages to break this cycle,” Dr. Okune said.
Lango Sub-region has one of the highest sickle cell burdens in Uganda. Data from the Ministry of Health shows the prevalence in Lango stands at 21%, compared to the national average of 13.3%. Alebtong District is worst hit, with 23% of those tested found positive.
Health experts in Lango have attributed the rising burden to intermarriages among people of the same clan lineage.
Dr. Okune urged cultural leaders to sensitise clans on the dangers of consanguineous marriages. He said premarital counselling and testing must be embraced across Lango.
“All young people who wish to get married must test and know their sickle cell status. When we know their status, then we can advise them,” Dr. Odur of Lira Regional Refferal Hospital said.
Parliament recently urged Government to recognise sickle cell as a major public health concern requiring urgent budgetary attention. Uganda has a national sickle cell trait prevalence of 13.3%, with an estimated 20,000 babies born with the disease annually.
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