'Nigerians must work together to end sickle cell' - Group advocates

onnaedo

June 23, 2015 4:33 PM

While in Abuja to mark the SCD global day, the carriers called on Nigerians to join hands and fight the yet incurable but preventable disorder.

As part of moves to fight Sickle Cell Disorder, persons living with the disease across the country have stressed the need for collaborative efforts to break the cycle of the health disorder.

While in Abuja to mark the SCD global day, the carriers called on Nigerians to join hands and fight the yet incurable but preventable disorder.

Speaking at the event, convener and founder of Shirley Hills Foundation, Shirley Hills, said that Africa and particularly Nigeria, suffers more from the condition.

Stating that rare diseases like the SCD doesn't get enough attention, Hills pointed out that statistics show 95% of rare diseases don’t have a single FDA-approved drug treatment. According to her,

"There are only 400 treatments approved to treat some 7,000 rare diseases believed to be affecting people today. It’s clearly enough to say that with more awareness and education, this cause can get the much-needed attention it deserves.”

She also said that her foundation has launched a new initiative called RedBlood Crescents Afrique to mark the World Sickle Cell Day 2015.

According to her, the initiative would further promote awareness and advocacy for the prevention, management and control of SCD in Africa as well as provide support and succour to carriers of the trait and sufferers through counselling, treatment, awareness outreaches and research.

onnaedo