By Jumah Nsubuga

Bank of Africa in partnership with the ministry of Health is slated to hold its inaugural annual car boot sale on 23rd March this year at legends Rugby club in a bid to raise funds for sickle cell association of Uganda in aid of buying a Hemoglobin electrophoresis machine used in the diagnosis of sickle cell.

During a joint press conference, bank of Uganda executive director Ather Isiko said that BOA considers Health as one of the key development initiatives within the community and has set out to hold a fun family activity dubbed the bank of Africa car boot sale to generate awareness and funds for sickle cells a disease that has often been left un-noticed or neglected by many.

He said that the drive will be coupled with a blood donation supported by the Uganda Red Cross to collect blood for the sickle cell patients. He added that all members of the general public will have the opportunity to come together and sell or buy personal possessions ranging from house hold items.

He said that the survey conducted in the 1970,20% of Ugandans totaling to 6600000 people are at risk of having a child with sickle cell adding that currently 33000 babies are born annually with the disease and sadly 80% of these die before 5years.