The Ministry of Health is drafting a policy that will require couples to compulsorily screen for sickle cell before getting married.
Charles Kiyaga the Director of the Sickle Cell Program at the Ministry revealed this today at a Convention attended by policymakers, scientists, and NGOs doing advocacy related to the disease.
Kiyaga who dismisses concerns by activists that this could fuel stigma making it hard for those with a trait and those living with sickle cell from finding marriage partners, says there will not be punitive measures for those that insist on getting married irrespective of their status.
This policy comes when the burden of the sickle cell stands at 15 percent prevalence for those with a trait and 1.2 percent for those with the disease. END.