An estimated 8,000 to 11,000 children are reportedly born with
sickle cell anaemia in the country annually, a don and expert in
the disease has said, ranking the country fourth in the world
with the highest number of cases in live births each year.
Nigeria tops the list, followed by India and the DR Congo. Dr
Edward Kija, a Paediatrician and Lecturer at Muhimbili
University and Health and Allied Sciences (Muhas)gave the
figures when briefing journalists on the Third Symposium of
Sickle cell Disease Research Network of Central Africa which
commences today in Dar es Salaam. The two-day scientific forum
will be attended by 200 scientists from East and Central Africa,
who are researching on the disease. He said if the children born
with sickle cell anaemia were not provided with 90 per cent
comprehensive care they die within two years of birth. “This
tragedy is preventable by simple measures that include
identification of affected individuals and providing
comprehensive care,” said the don. Dr Kija said there hav