Health

Pfizer calls for community participation to tackle sickle cell disease in Nigeria

The global pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, has called for joint efforts to prevent complications of sickle cell through early diagnosis, prompt intervention, consistent public awareness and education.

The global brand also expressed the need to raise awareness on the sickle cell disease and the challenges patients and families face when confronting the disease and also identify the underserved within communities across the country and reduce the prevalence of estimated 150,000 babies born with the disease annually.

The United Nations General Assembly has set aside June 19 every year, for countries all over the world to celebrate World Sickle Cell Disease Day; to recognize the disease as a public health concern and promoting education about this genetic condition in 2008.

Speaking at this year’s lecture themed, “Building and strengthening Global Sickle Cell Communities, Formalizing New-born Screening and Knowing your Sickle Cell Disease Status” Medical Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Pfizer, Kodjo Soroh said, “Sickle cell disorder though categorised as rare disease, however, is not rare in our society because Nigeria is the epicentre of sickle cell disease as between 4 and 6million people are living with this disorder.

“Most of us are passionate about sickle cell disorder and many of us have one or two personal stories to tell about the disease.

“Today, we are not where we used to be decades ago before the evolution of science when affected children were termed “ogbanjes” due to the high mortality rate of babies born with the disease.

“Nowadays, science has significantly evolved to reduce mortality and morbidity through mass media campaigns, counselling, early diagnosis, and breakthrough medicines.

I would like to recognise the leadership of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, all relevant stakeholders and most importantly the sickle cell warriors and caregivers who have displayed solidarity against sickle cell disorder in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“In our commitment to change a billion lives per year, Pfizer has partnered with Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria to celebrate world sickle cell disease day and stand in solidarity with our warriors.

“I urge the government and all relevant stakeholders to support this course to improve quality of life of the patients and save more lives because indeed sickle cell disorder is not a death sentence.”

Chief Tunde Afolabi, Chairman of Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria commented: “World Sickle Cell Day is an international awareness day commemorated every 19th of June, to alert the global public about sickle cell disease as various global and local organizations come together during this day to promote awareness campaigns and activities which recognize the need for early diagnosis of sickle cell disease, its treatment, and preventive tips to avoid the ailment.

“Sickle cell disease is one of the majorly occurring monogenic diseases with majority of them seen in low- and middle-income countries. Dedicating a specific day for sickle cell disease ensures the comprehensive awareness that could bring out across individuals, populations, services, and systems levels.”

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