BY OLUWATOSIN IGHOTEGUONO
Stakeholders have advocated scaling up of campaign against stigmatization of sickle cell patients and access to improved medical care for effective management of their condition.
They spoke with correspondent, Oluwatosin Ighoteguono in Akure, Ondo state as the world commemorates sickle cell day.
Sickle cell is a disorder in the body system which causes normal round blood cells to become stiff stopping it from carrying enough oxygen around the body.
According to research, sickle cell disease affects millions of people of every race and ethnicity, placing Africa on the chart of having large proportion of affected persons who suffer pains and all form of crisis which sometimes lead to stroke, organ failure, bone damage and among others.
More severe is the psychological trauma they face from the society as they attach many reasons to their conditions hence the reason sickle cell patients are called warriors.
Some sickle cell patients who did not want their names mentioned narrated their experiences to Radio Nigeria.
A Consultant Hematologist, Dr Bolanle Akinsete was of the opinion that Stakeholders needed to scale up campaign against stigmatization of sickle cell patients while they should be given prompt medical attention to prevent complications, capable of cutting short their lives.
Another medical expert, Dr Ifeoluwa Osundare said the condition could be well managed with drugs, regular medical check up, eating balanced diets and regular intake of water.
Two sickle cell advocates , Mrs Timileyin Ogunjadegbe and Florence Ajani harped on the need for parents , family members and friends to always give moral support to sickle cell patients through care and words of encouragement to boost their self esteem while also advocating compulsory genotype test for intending couples to reduce cases.
World sickle cell day is commemorated every 19th of June to create awareness on the disorder and gather support for sufferers.
Theme for this year is “HOPE THROUGH PROGRESS ADVANCING SICKLE CELL CARE GLOBALLY.