CHALLENGES FACING PEOPLE WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

BY
SALAMATU JEKADA

Human existence is subject to the forces of nature. However humanity has laboured so much to master these forces of nature and find a way of bringing them to submission. Success has been recorded to some extent, through the aid of some remarkable progress made in science and technology. However, in some countries where science is moving at a very slow pace, the situation may not be the same, one of these forces of nature that has faced man from creation is sickle cell anemia. The “sickle cell disease” has taken on very high human mortality toil. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder cause by a genetic mutation characterized primarily by chronic anemia and periodic episodes of pain. It is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the hemoglobin, HB, gene. The disease affects millions of people through out the world. It is particularly common among people whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan African. The disease occurs in about one in twelve Africans carrying the trait. The presence of two defective genes, SS, is needed for sickle cell anemia. If each parent carries one sickle haemoglobin, S and one normal gene, A, each child has a twenty five percent, 25%, chance of inheriting two defective genes and having sickle cell anemia. They also have twenty five percent, chance of inheriting two normal genes not having the disease and a fifty percent chance of being unaffected carrier like the parents. Sickle cell disease is an international health problem and truly a global challenge. The endemic nature of the disease has attracted the attention of the whole world leading to the United Nations of which Nigeria also hosted a ceremony to commemorate the day by declaring the 19th June each year as Sickle Cell Day. Nigeria said to have the highest rate of sickle cell suffered in the entire world. In Africa, statistics show that out of the two hundred thousand babies born with the disease, one hundred and fifty thousand of them are Nigerians. Furthermore, one hundred thousand Nigerians children are lost to the disease annually and eight percent of the nations child mortality stem from sickle cell disease. Available statistics have also shown that, between two and three percent of an estimated of forty-five thousand babies born annually in Nigeria have the disease while between twenty-five and thirty percent are born with sickle cell trait. On the whole, it is estimated that a total of thirty seven million Nigeria’s, both children and adults suffer from sickle cell anemia. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as paleness, shortness of breath, yellowing of the skin and eyes, fatigue and delayed growth among others. Persons with the disease need regular health check-ups, proper nutrition, bed rest, good hygiene and need to avoid stress of any kind. Unfortunately, it has become hard and almost impossible for some person with the disease to avoid stress and have a regular check-up. The current economic down turn and lack of adequate medical facilities and personnel in the nation hospitals has made the situation of sufferer worst. “Sicklers” as they are often called also suffer from stigmatization and in most times they are neglected and rejected by friends, parents and the society, this evidently affects them directly or indirectly, thereby adding more complications to their health. Persons with the disease are often regarded as under-achievers and never do well. They pass through bouts of psychological depression coupled with the excruciating physical pain occasioned by sickle cell crises. Some non-governmental organization, NGO’s, are attempting to provide free medical health care services and access to the drugs that will help manage the disease. It is therefore imperative for governments to contribute their quota and support to persons with sickle cell anemia, since sickle cell is a genetic disease, there is therefore, the need for more awareness and enlightenment campaigns on the importance of knowing their genotype before couples get married to reduce the rate of the diseases that has become a scourge in Nigeria, the black race and humanity. These campaigns should also be extended to the rural areas to educate them on the importance of blood test before marriage and the need for them to provide care for persons with disease and not leave them to their fate. Thus, government in its efforts towards ensuring quality health care service delivery should put in place measures that would enhance the quality and efficiency of the medical service in its various hospitals. Also, free medical check up and routine drugs should be giving to persons with the disease to promote the well being of persons with sickle cell disease. Government should ensure that adequate attention is given to sickle cell anemia patients in hospitals at all times especially during emergencies to reduce the mortality rate. Although drugs for sickle cell disease has proved difficult to be found, medical researchers are still trying to find solution to cases of genetic cell, the disease can still be managed. The bottom line is massive education of the people so as to prevent the disease.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary