Youths Against Sickle Cell Anaemia have called on the Government of Sierra Leone and other organisations to embark on effective sensitisation on Sickle Cell at community level and public places.
Chief Executive Officer, Adama Sesay, who is also a Sickle Cell patient said Sickle Cell is a non-communicable disease that is inherited from either one of the two parents called genetic blood disorder by the red blood cell.
She said the Youths Against Sickle Cell Anaemia organisation provides support to children they are sharing the same disease, adding that the idea came about to establish this organisation based on what she has undergone through in the hands of the disease since her childhood.
“My mum has been telling me that when she gave birth to me as a Sickle Cell patient it was very challenging for her as a result of lack of help. She had to sell some of her belongings for me to get better medication, therefore, I thought it fit that I need to come on board and help children that are suffering from the same disease.” Adama said.
She indicated that they as sickle cell patients are greatly affected by the disease in diverse ways including when pursuing their education or at their workplaces citing her personal experiences “When I was at the university I do miss classes during effective lectures due to my condition as a sickle cell patient, at times even during the exams I write some of the modules not in line with the normal time table, also currently at my workplace I’m having the zeist to be regular but it is not easy at the end of the week I can only be working three times, and it is also affecting my relationship,” Adama opined.
Again, she added that they are facing a lot of stigmatization and not limited to; them being referred to as witchcraft, and therefore calling on the government and other organisations “I am encouraging everyone and calling on organisations to join the fight against Sickle Cell as to limit the stigma and help the vulnerable to get medication because we have been referred to as witchcraft just because we are Sickle Cell patients” she called.
