Pediatric Sickle Cell Centre in Uganda

Dear friends,

Every year in Uganda, 20,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). In Bukedea District, families face exhausting journeys, fragmented care, and crushing costs. SCOEN is changing this narrative by building the region’s first dedicated Pediatric SCD Centre.

Progress to Date: The building’s foundation has been successfully completed. However, funds have run out, and construction is currently stalled at the foundation level. Walls, roofing, finishing, and medical installation remain unfinished.

This progressive report outlines what has been achieved, the critical funding gap, and the urgent next steps required to resume work and open the centre.

Imagine being a parent, knowing your child is in pain, and having nowhere to turn. In Eastern Uganda, this is the daily reality for thousands of families facing Sickle Cell Disease.

• High burden: 20,000 babies born with SCD annually in Uganda.

• No dedicated facility in Bukedea District – children travel over 100km for basic care.

• Fragmented services lead to preventable deaths, chronic pain, and catastrophic family costs.

SCOEN exists to rebuild futures – giving children a chance at health, education, and life.

Despite limited resources, significant groundwork has been achieved. The centre is not imaginary – it is partially built.

Land Acquisition - Complete

Site Clearing & Excavation - Complete

Foundation Concrete Works - Complete: Hardcore, reinforcement, and concrete pouring finished.

Community Mobilization - Complete: Local leaders and families aware and supportive.

Architectural Drawings - Complete: Plans for consulting rooms, crisis bay, pharmacy, and family waiting area.

Current Physical State: The foundation is in place. It is a visible, solid start – but walls have not risen above ground level.

Current Challenges (Why We Are Stuck)

The Main Barrier: Lack of funds to continue.

• Budget exhausted: Initia funds covered only land and foundation.

• No walls or roof: The structure is vulnerable to weather; stalled construction risks deterioration.

• No medical equipment or staff: Even if walls were up, we lack beds, oxygen, and trained nurses.

Funding gap identified: We need $37,000 USD to finish construction, install utilities, equip the clinic, and train initial staff.

"The building is still at foundation level. We need to finish, but there are no funds yet."

Phase 1: Masonry – raising walls to roofing level (blocks, cement, labor) $8,500 4 weeks

Phase 2:  Roofing (iron sheets, timber, nails) $6,000 2 weeks

Phase 3: Plastering, flooring, windows, doors $5,000 3 weeks

Phase 4: Plumbing & electrical installation $4,000 2 weeks

Phase 5: Purchase of pediatric beds, infusion stands, oxygen concentrator $7,000 1 week

Phase 6: Recruitment & training of 2 SCD nurses $3,500 3 months (parallel)

Phase 7: Initial pharmacy stock (6 months: Hydroxyurea, Folic acid, Penicillin) $6,000 1 week

Contingency Transport, logistics, minor unforeseen costs $2,000 Ongoing

TOTAL To complete the centre & open doors $37,000 Approx. 4 months'

 

We cannot stop now. The foundation is laid – but without your help, it remains just a concrete slab in the ground.

Your generous contribution will:

• Lay bricks and raise walls.

• Train nurses to recognize a crisis early.

• Purchase medication that costs pennies but saves lives.

• Give a child in Bukedea their first pain-free school term.

How to help:

• $50 – Buys penicillin for 10 children for one month.

• $500 – Pays masons for one week to raise walls higher.

• $5,000 – Buys the roof that keeps the rain off a child in crisis.

• $37,000 – Completes the entire centre and opens doors.

"We are not just treating a disease; we are rebuilding futures."