Lira, (UG):- Catherine Phil Sickle Support Initiative has delivered HB electrophoresis machines to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for advanced management and diagnosis of SCD meant to enhance the management of sickle cell disease.
The machine was bought at a cost of 15 million shillings with funds raised from the first Uhuru sickle cell run held in Lira City on October 5, 2024.
Chief Executive Officer of Catherine Phil Sickle Support Initiative Dr Daniel Roy Odur, while handing over the machines on October 23, urged young couples to test for sickle cell before marriage.
“This machine will help in giving quick results of sickle cell tests and our appeal to the public is to try as much as possible to test their partners for sickle cell to know their status before entering marriage. This will help a lot because managing sickle cell is not easy,” Odur said.
Stanbic Bank Lira branch manager Ben Olwol highlighted the importance of partnerships between financial institutions and health initiatives.
Over the last couple of days, the Catherine Field Sequel Cell Support Initiative came out to the community to raise awareness of Sickle Cell. So we thought that as a bank, it relates to our purpose as a bank because we say Africa is our home and we drive our growth.
So in this particular case, Lango is our home and we drive our growth knowing that the prevalence is really high in the northern part of the country and in Lango and the region. So for us to come out to support, it really aligns with our purpose to be able to ensure that we come close to supporting the health initiatives in this sub-region,” Olwol explained.
Meanwhile, Principal Hospital Administrator Peter Okello Odeke noted the machines will significantly improve sickle cell diagnosis.
“We pledge our commitment to continue working with the teams that come to support the hospital. Anything else, more will be very welcome. To you, the lab officer, this is a very, very important equipment. Keep it and use it for the purpose of improving the life of our people and specifically the Sickler in the region,” Okello Odeke said.
Meanwhile, DailyExpress understands that another machine is planned for Alebtong District on October 28, 2024
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