• 66 per cent of the 120 million people with sickle cell disease live in Africa
• Rotary has seven themes they work under, including maternal health and childbirth
Image: TONY WAFULA
Young couples from sickle cell endemic areas have been urged to go for sickle cell testing before getting married.
Speaking during a blood drive at the Bungoma National Polytechnic on Tuesday, a Rotary official said this will tame the rise in the number of children born with sickle cell disease.
In Western, about 4.5 per cent of children are born with SCD, and 18 per cent of children are born with sickle cell trait, according to the Ministry of Health.
Bungoma Rotary Club president Antony Khisa said it is important for couples to know their rhesus factors before deciding to get children.
"If you are unsure whether you produce sickle haemoglobin, you can find out by having your blood tested," he said.
“Additionally, you may opt for a genetic test to determine if you carry the gene for sickle haemoglobin, which you could potentially pass on to your child.”
He further advised parents of children with health issues to stop living in denial and seek appropriate help.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 66 per cent of the 120 million people with sickle cell disease live in Africa.
About 75 per cent of children with the disease are born in sub-Saharan Africa.
The WHO report further indicates that about 300,000 children are born with sickle cell disease globally each year, including 240,000 in Africa.
The blood drive was organised by Rotary International and Rotary District 92112 in partnership with the Bungoma County Referral Hospital. Some 148 pints of blood were collected.
"Our blood banks have run dry in recent days, and that is very risky,” Khisa said.
“This blood drive has been a continuous process by Rotary clubs across the world to increase the availability of blood for patients who are in need of transfusion and more so sicklers in our facilities.”
Rotarian Rose Waringa from Siaya county urged Kenyans not to shy away from donating blood.
"With the blood shortages experienced in our hospitals, we call on everyone eligible to donate blood to come out and donate to save lives that are at risk due to lack of blood,” she said.
Before donating blood, one’s weight and height are measured, a little counselling given on how many times one should donate, and then blood sampling is done.
“This blood that we collect is not our own. We have partnered with Bungoma County Referral Hospital, which has a blood bank, where the blood will go to help those in need,” she said.
Rotary has seven themes they work under, one of which is maternal health and childbirth.
Jacinta Ochieng’, a sickle cell anaemia warrior, told the Star she has been a beneficiary of blood donation for a long time.
She thanked Rotarians for organising blood drives to help prevent blood shortages in hospitals.
"I was born with sickle cell and have been dependent on transfusions often since childhood," she said.
“I applaud the Rotary clubs across the nation and worldwide for this blood donation exercise, and a major thank you to the donors who willingly come out to give blood. It goes a long way.”