Hospital takes sickle cell campaign to school

The Alimosho General Hospital has joined counterparts across the world to celebrate the 2023 World Sickle Cell Day, with an awareness campaign extended to Igando Community High School students.

A statement by the hospital�s Public Affairs Officer, Oduwaye Oluwakemi, said the awareness campaign was led by the Medical Director, Dr Ayodapo Soyinka, who was represented by the Director of Clinical Services and Training in the hospital, Dr Jane Bakare.

The medical director said the �essence of the annual event was to deepen students� knowledge about sickle cell anaemia.

The Head of Haematology Department, Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Adebukola Orolu, explained that sickle cell disorder �is an inherited chronic blood disorder which causes rigid red blood cells with abnormal sickle shape, decreases the red cells flexibility and causes blockage of blood flow and oxygen from reaching all parts of the body; thereby causing various complications.�

Orolu advocated genotype testing for intending couples and early testing in newborns, saying that �10� to 40 per cent of the Nigerian population carries the sickle cell gene with an estimated 150,000 children born every year with sickle cell anaemia.�

Orolu �affirmed that early diagnosis of sickle cell disease in newborns and importance of supportive caregivers and zero stigmatisation of �sickle cell warriors� are important in tackling the disease,� the statement read.