THE Executive Chairman of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya has advocated for the need to educate the young and adult generation on Sickle Cell Anaemia, which will help change their behaviours, and create awareness of societal norms and policies regarding sickle cell prevention, detection, and management.
Akinsanya made this charge during a sickle cell awareness project tagged ‘Project GenEducation, A Sickle Cell Awareness for Education and Advocacy’ organised by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria which took place at the council secretariat on Thursday, June 9, 2022.
While speaking at the event, the council mayor, who was represented by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Hon. Mojisola Ayinke Badmus noted that it is important to make information available to individuals, families, and communities to reduce the likelihood of couples having HbSS babies.
She also claimed that a 1982 study had estimated that about 30,000 babies are born annually in Nigeria with SCD saying the numbers will be even higher now given the increase in the Nigerian population.
“SCD affects a large number of Nigerians but with available knowledge, the disease can be prevented. It is therefore equally important to make information about treatment options and advances in management available to patients with SCD and their relatives.
“High-level advocacy to policymakers and purse holders is indeed very important to ensure that the investments required for the prevention, control and management of SCD are made,” she said.
She also informed that primary and secondary school students are being tested so that they can be aware of their genotype.
“There is an ongoing initiative to test and inform primary and secondary school children on their genotype. This initiative is not to scare them but to get them to inform early about their genotype,” she reiterates.
Hon. Mojisola suggested that if tuberculosis patients could have their drugs free of charge then sickle cell patients should also enjoy such benefits. She then called on the government and all stakeholders to give support to SC warriors.
