The County Government of Siaya joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Sickle Cell Day, a day set aside by The United Nations Organization in 2008 and marked annually to meditate on strides made in dealing with the disease.
Siaya County hosted the national commemoration events under the theme of “Managing Sickle Cell Disease, Transforming Lives.”
Led by the County First Lady Rosella Rasanga, the commemoration started at the Siaya County Referral Hospital where she officially flagged off the procession to Ahindi gardens where the major event was held.
In her speech Mama Rosella, while noting that univeral health care would help address the tribulations of sickle cell, also urged communities to come together to develop strategies that can empower sickle cell victims while reducing the impact of the scourge.
She called for collaboration between different partners and stakeholders in addressing the sickle cell menace to ensure that Siaya County and the country at large meets the sustainable development goals as well as eliminating harmful and wrong prejudices associated with sickle cell disease.
The County Executive Committee Member of Health Ms. Mary Omondi through her representative acknowledged the county government’s commitment towards the management of the sickle cell disease through various interventions.
Amongst many other programs, a lot of funds have so far been allocated towards the purchase of medicines used in management of the disease according to the Executive Member.
Special clinics have been established within the County in the major health care facilities where the clients are regularly seen while diagnostics have also been promoted in the laboratory for early detection of sickle cell disease. The County Government has also gone ahead to establish a blood donation drive within the county to increase access to safe blood.
The event which brought together members of the public and partners mandated with handling those suffering from the disease as well offered free sickle cell screenings and blood donation services to the public at the occasion.
By Siaya County Communication Unit
