Microhaem Scientifics participated in the landmark Technical Validation and Launch Workshop of the Continental Framework for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Other Inherited Blood Disorders, held from 11–13 May 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. Hosted by the Ministry of Health Uganda and convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), this historic high-level gathering brought together Ministries of Health from African Union Member States, scientists, clinicians, civil society organizations, patient advocates, development partners, and global health leaders to validate and launch Africa’s unified continental response to sickle cell disease and other inherited blood disorders.
Officiated by Uganda’s Minister of Health, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, as Guest of Honor, and officially launched by Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care), the workshop was held under the theme “A Coordinated Continental Response.” This powerful engagement marked a defining step toward strengthening policy alignment, newborn screening, early diagnosis, prevention, treatment access, research, and health system coordination for sickle cell disease and inherited blood disorders across Africa.
Africa continues to carry more than 70% of the global burden of sickle cell disease, yet millions of children and adults still face delayed diagnosis, fragmented interventions, limited access to treatment, and under-prioritized healthcare systems despite the availability of cost-effective solutions. This continental framework, therefore, represents a timely and critical shift from fragmented small-scale interventions toward coordinated, evidence-based, and sustainable action reaffirming Africa’s commitment to prioritizing sickle cell disease through stronger policies, strategic workplans, scalable implementation, and long-term investment.
During the workshop’s closing engagements, Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine reaffirmed Uganda’s national commitment to expanding newborn screening, strengthening early diagnosis, increasing public awareness and healthcare worker training, improving access to Hydroxyurea and essential diagnostics, integrating sickle cell services into primary healthcare, and advancing research, counselling, and national data systems. These commitments strongly align with Africa CDC’s broader vision for sustainable continental action and health sovereignty.
For Microhaem Scientifics, participation in this historic milestone reflects both our mission and our responsibility. As Uganda’s leading local manufacturer of quality diagnostics, we recognize that diagnostics remain central to transforming outcomes in sickle cell disease, particularly in Africa, where delayed diagnosis remains a major contributor to preventable under-five mortality.
Through Microscreen, our Made in Uganda, ISO 13485:2026 backed, multi-analyte point-of-care immunoassay, Microhaem Scientifics is helping translate continental strategy into practical implementation. Microscreen delivers rapid, direct, and HbF-unmasked differentiation of HbAA, HbAS, and HbSS at the point of care, including critical newborn screening pathways where elevated foetal haemoglobin can complicate diagnosis using conventional methods.
By combining direct phenotype differentiation, decentralized usability, and local manufacturing excellence, Microscreen represents the kind of African scientific innovation required to strengthen newborn screening systems, enable earlier diagnosis and intervention, improve long-term patient outcomes, and reduce dependency on imported diagnostic systems.
This is more than scientific advancement; it is health sovereignty in action. Through African science, African manufacturing, and African-led innovation, Microhaem Scientifics is proud to contribute to a future where Africa solves African health challenges with sustainable, locally built solutions.
Microhaem Scientifics remains deeply committed to advancing world-class diagnostics that transform policy into implementation, strengthen health systems, expand equitable access to early diagnosis, and help shape the future of sickle cell disease care across Uganda and the African continent.
