Sickle cell anemia and social justice: a pathway to equitable healthcare in Uganda

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) presents a significant yet under-addressed public health burden in Uganda, particularly among marginalized and underserved populations. This review explores how social justice principles can inform equitable healthcare responses to SCA in Uganda. We conducted a structured narrative review using PubMed, Scopus, and African Journals Online as primary databases, with Google Scholar used as a supplementary tool. The review highlights key barriers to care, including limited newborn screening, health infrastructure deficits, sociocultural stigma, and inadequate policy implementation. We critically examined Uganda's National Sickle Cell Control Program and identified limitations such as low coverage, poor logistics, and fragmented data systems. Drawing on Ghana's nationally coordinated sickle cell response, we discuss successful community-based models and policy integration as potential frameworks for Uganda. The review advocates for a justice-centered approach that prioritizes health equity, community engagement, and systemic reform. Strengthening Uganda's SCA response requires not only biomedical interventions but also political commitment and socially responsive health strategies.