31 people die of Sickle Cell disease: Statistics

Statistics released by Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell and Anaemia care have revealed that a total of 31 people, 20 males and 11 females, died as a result of the sickle cell disease last year. 

August was the worst month in terms of sickle cell fatalities while April was the only month in which no sickle cell-related fatalities occurred. 

Forty-two per cent of those who died were of the age group 30 to 39. 

Speaking to DT News, Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell and Anaemia care President Zakareya Al Kadhem said that the treatment for sickle cell disease had improved in the past year. 

He said that the improved service as well as increased public awareness about the disease were some of the reasons as to why the death toll in 2015 improved from 2014. 

“As a patient myself, I feel more secure now with the quality of service. There have been improvements but we cannot say that we have achieved everything. 

There are a lot of areas that we need to improve. There are still many challenges we need to overcome and issues we need to sort out. This year, 31 people died due to the disease. This is still not acceptable for us. We need to take more measures to save more people. 

Considering that in recent years the death toll was over 40, we can say that there has been an improvement this year. But I cannot say that I am happy. However, this improvement shows that small efforts can save lives. If we do more, even more lives will be saved.”

He attributed the improvements to three points. “Firstly, Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s attention was crucial, as he put the sickle cell issue in the government programme. Secondly, the Health Ministry has made some changes. They changed the way they approached this challenge. They prioritised it and worked hard along with us. 

Another reason for less number of deaths last year was because of the increased awareness and education among patients and families. Patients and their families better understood their role in treating the disease.”