Over 70 persons carried out a free genotype screening organized by the Bravelife Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting persons living with the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
This featured an awareness session on sickle cell which also had the donation of some needful materials to persons suffering from the disease.
The activity at Women Empowerment Centre, Buea on Saturday, April 27, 2024 was dedicated to enhancing the well-being and health of individuals affected by sickle cell disease, with the goal of enhancing their overall quality of life.
The Bravelife Foundation is committed to bolstering the management and treatment of the disease, disseminating crucial awareness and information about sickle cell disease in Cameroon, and amplifying efforts to advocate against the stigma often linked with this condition.
The gifts to persons living with SCD compromised of a water bottle, folic acid, packs of paracetamol and scarfs. The founder of Bravelife, Marie-Claire Kofi, United Kingdom based, lives w
ith the sickle cell disease. She has birth two children and is a firm advocate for those living with the disease.
‘I want to be able to support people with sickle cell disease in our community. So many people and children are dying because of SCD which has lived with us for as long as I remember and still we are not equipped to save their lives,’ Marie-Claire Kofi explained.
Bravelife Foundation plans to work with stakeholders to provide education, sensitisation and support. Also to lay down a protocol to enable those living with SCD receive better treatment. During pain crisis, the effects not only hits the disease carrier but those around mentally, financially and emotionally.
Meryline Limnyuy, a mother of three with one living with SCD says it is daunting caring for her son. ‘I’ve suffered alot, walking from one hospital to another,’ she hinted. She found herself in the situation because she didn’t take seriously a genotype test before marriage.
A genotype test cost about 8000 fcfa francs says Mr. Taka
ng Nkwele, Lab scientist at the Regional Hospital Annex in Kumba. He cautioned that it is important to do a genotype test before building any solid relationship or indulging in child bearing activities.
Marie-Claire Kofi said the government had to assist those living with SCD adequately by providing training for Hematologist – specialist in blood related disease – in Cameroon. The founder of the Bravelife Foundation, is optimistic that this will save the lives of many, curb sickle cell related deaths and break the myth of sickle cell expectancy of 21 years.
Source: Cameroon News Agency