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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A group, Sickle Cell Awareness Initiative Ireland-Nigeria (SCAIIN), has launched a campaign to tackle stigma, ignorance and misinformation on sickle cell disorder in Nigeria.
Founder of SCAIIN, Mrs Esther Pepple Onolememen, said the programme was designed to improve health outcomes for people living with sickle cell anaemia and strengthen public trust, support for patients and their families.
She spoke at the launch of the campaign in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
According to her, the one-day medical intervention focused on breaking the longstanding cycle of pain, stigma and silence through research-driven advocacy, public education and community mobilisation.
Onolememen stressed that sustained awareness and early intervention remained critical to reducing the burden of sickle cell disorder in the country, noting that ignorance and social stigma continue to worsen the challenges faced by patients.
She said: “Together, we are rewriting the story of sickle cell in Nigeria from silence to knowledge, from stigma to support, and from neglect to action.”
Onolememen thanked the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) for investing in public health and for recognising that sickle cell disease was not only a medical issue but also a social and developmental one.
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She urged the Federal Government to adopt a proactive approach by introducing a national newborn screening programme.
The founder described the recommended approach as a critical first step toward comprehensive planning for sickle cell care in Nigeria.
She said: “Promoting public health, advocacy and care across borders, going forward, an immediate approach is to consider newborn screening, national newborn screening as a country, that is the first step into planning for sickle cell care generally.”
Speaking, the NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, observed that sickle cell disease remained a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku, represented by the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Patience Ezugu, noted that the sensitization programme was dedicated to strengthening awareness to ensure prevention and care for Sickle Cell Disease in the Niger Delta.
He said: “As a Commission mandated to enhance the well-being of our people, the NDDC recognises that sustainable development is impossible without a healthy population.
“This programme reinforces our commitment to preventive healthcare, early diagnosis, and community education. For our youths, knowing your genotype early is essential.
“For patients, we reaffirm our support for improved access to care. For health professionals, we appreciate your dedication and encourage continued collaboration in research, counselling, and community outreach.”
