A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) has recognized community participation as a critical aspect in bringing awareness to the reduction of the burden of Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria.
Making the call during a press conference organised by SCHAF, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Ibadan Civic Centre, to commemorate the 2022 World Sickle Cell Day and the 10th year anniversary of the NGO, the founder, Prof Adeyinka Falusi, described the importance of the participation of community members in raising awareness about the disease as she described Nigeria as the country with the highest number of sickle cell carriers in Africa.
“Nigeria has the highest incidence of sickle cell disease (SCD) worldwide, with over 40 million trait carriers who can spread the illness and over 4 million patients receiving treatment,” the statement reads. Out of the 300,000 kids with sickle cell disease (SCD) born in Africa each year, 150,000 are born in Nigeria, and 100,000 of them die there.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of the community in fostering a culture of health consciousness. The community can play a significant role in educating families about sickle cell disease; doing so will raise awareness, encourage prevention, and lessen the burden on those who are already afflicted, according to Falusi.
As a result, she urged everyone in the community, regardless of profession, to contribute to the campaign to raise awareness of sickle cell disease.
The retired professor of hematology and human genetics gave a hint about the events planned for the year’s celebration, including providing free treatments to patients, offering a free genotype test, and educating market women and religious centers about the NGO’s mission.
Delivering the message of the Oyo State commissioner for health, the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Wale Falana acknowledged the government’s appreciation for SCHAF’s work on Sickle Cell illness. Nonetheless, he made reference to the resources the Oyo State government has installed in state hospitals and basic health centers to meet the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease, as well as the free treatment plans for kids under five.
One of the participants, Dr. Mariam Lawal, a pharmacist at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is a carrier of the disease. She spoke with Tribune Online and encouraged patients to hold onto their dreams and hopes, as well as urged the public to stop stigmatizing people who have sickle cell disease.
Lawal stated, “I think it’s important to support those who have sickle cell disease.” They must to have an optimistic outlook on their situation and have faith in their ability to realize their goals.
World Day of Sickle Cells World Day of Sickle Cells World Day of Sickle Cells
