TWO children have, within a week, died due to sickle cell complications.
The children were aged 2 and 13.
The deaths have triggered concern from the Zambian Network for Sickle Cell Disease-Amplified Voices and Advocacy (ZNSAVA).
Chibuye Malama, 13, died on Sunday due to sickle cell disease complication of pain management while two-year-old Joy Nachula lost her life due to complications that needed blood transfusion, but the blood was not available at the blood bank.
According to ZNSAVA chairperson Sylvia Mwansa, Chibuye was brought to Lusaka from Kitwe to investigate the possibility of undergoing red blood cells exchange that was launched at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
And on Saturday, last week, Chibuye was taken to hospital with a pain crisis.
However, the pain could not be controlled and she died on December 18, this year.
Mwansa is saddened by the deaths and appealed to the authorities to recognise sickle cell disease as a public health challenge, in the same way malaria, cancer amd HIV are given attention.
“Government must consider providing a dedicated ward for sickle cell disease where advocates may lobby equipment and machinery with a dedicated blood bank for immediate blood transfusion and any immediate help the sickle cell patient may need,” Mwansa said.
She added that there should be a dedicated haematology doctors and nurses who understand sickle cell disease and other blood disorder diseases, at the first reception and towards admission for treatment.
From the studies that have been carried out in Zambia, 18 per cent of the population has been affected by sickle cell disease.
Recently, the Ministry of Health acquired three apheresis machines for blood exchange treatment, which have now been certified and authorised for use at the UTH.
“Our warriors are being encouraged to come forth and be part of this milestone in therapeutic treatments for sickle cell disease,” Mwansa said.
She is also urging the public to donate blood, saying without blood, the machines cannot not run.
Zambia Reports 2022