What We Offer
Comprehensive Care for Sickle Cell Disease
The Ukerewe Sickle Cell Disease Project is dedicated to providing essential support and management for children affected by sickle cell disease. We focus on strengthening healthcare systems, enhancing community involvement, and improving clinical services to ensure access to quality care for families in Mwanza region.
OBJECTIVES
- To improve the care and decrease the suffering of children living with
Sickle Cell Disease in Ukerewe District. - Increase awareness and understanding of Sickle Cell disease in
Ukerewe community. - To strengthen health infrastructure to improve identification and
management of sickle cell disease complications at primary health
care level. - To conduct research on improving early SCD diagnosis by integrating
maternal screening and newborn testing with antenatal and delivery
services.
IMPROVED PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIES
USCDP – coordinated procurement of medicines, equipment, and supplies, distributing Hydroxyurea, Folic Acid, Penicillin V, and Hemotype SC kits.
SPECIALIZED SICKLE CELL DISEASE CLINICS SETUP
From January 2025 to April 2026, USCDP conducted 7 specialized Sickle Cell clinics at Nansio Hospital, in collaboration with BMC experts and trained clinicians. 235 children enrolled in care; 6 referred for splenectomy; 2 referred for other surgeries, all costs and admissions covered by the project.
INVESTING IN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
USCDP – Trained Health Care Providers, aimed
to impart health care professionals with knowledge and skills of understanding of SCD prevention, diagnosis, management, and provision of quality care to patients living with SCD in Ukerewe District.
USCDP- provided SCD technical training for community health workers (Ambassadors) in Ukerewe. 67 (40M/27F) community health workers trained to contribute to the implementation of comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease services in the community in
Ukerewe District.
Community level engagement and expanded
awareness, access to screening of SCD- As an entry
point, community mobilization and advocacy
increase SCD awareness and influence behaviors;
trained community health workers educate
households and promote care-seeking utilization.
PARTNERSHIP AND RESEARCH
USCDP is implementing research led by Bugando Medical Centre on maternal-newborn screening to improve early diagnosis of SCD and enhance comprehensive care for infants with SCD.
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS (NOV 2024 - APRIL 2026)
Screening: Project screened 600+ children, delivered health education, diagnosed 235 with SCD, and they are on hydroxyurea, folic acid, and Penicillin V prophylaxis.
Sickle Cell disease Symptoms: Reported SCD symptoms decreased markedly due to strong medication adherence and clinic follow-ups.
– Hemoglobin increased from 6.3 mg/L to 8.2g/dL
– Average weight increased by 1.7 kg
– Transfusion requirement decreased by 67%.
– Vaso Occlusive Crises (VOC) declined from 63% to 16%.
– Severe Anemia from 26% to 5%, Acute Chest Syndrome from 39% – 0%
– 77% report no complications