(Source: My Photo Library. Sickle Life Event&Blood Donation Drive, June 2016)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sickle Cell Disease affects about 5.2% of the world population most especially those in tropics and sub-tropics (http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/6/06-036673/en/)
Today is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day (June 19) and a familiar scene keeps coming to the forefront of my mind.
A couple in hospital because their child is on admission. This is the 3rd time this month. And it’s not the last week yet.
They’re tired. They’re frustrated. They’re angry at each other. They’re gradually getting to the point where they’re beginning to hate each other.
Their child is only 5 years old and the crises keep on coming back to back with no reprieve at all. School is interrupted, jobs are interrupted and happy family life is a myth.
Why?
Because it’s not something you recover from. It’s not malaria. It’s not pneumonia. It’s a blood condition called Sickle Cell Disease. And it could have been prevented.
(Picture courtesy JDA, of which I’m a proud member 🙌🏽)
(Source: Sicklelife.org)
As a medic and a member of the Junior Doctors’ Association of Ghana, it’s my responsibility to educate the public (That’s you, you and you in the corner reading this too closely. Don’t hurt your eyes, back up a bit) about the reality of this condition.
Millions of children (and adults) all over the world are affected and suffer so much from the complications that arise from this condition.
Just so you know, I’m not speaking as an emotionally unattached, distant doctor who sees patients as their conditions and not as human beings...I’ve been personally affected by this disease. My mother and brother are sufferers and I am a carrier (AS).
I’ve seen them in so much pain and agony when they have a crisis..could be intense bone pain (caused by poor blood flow leading to reduced oxygen being carried to the cells and they start to complain by producing noxious substances which the body interprets as severe pain) which is better imagined than described, increased susceptibility to infections, splenic infarctions, gall stones etc etc.
Since I’m so passionate about this cause I did a little awareness on my WhatsApp status for my contacts in a form people love.
Story time!
Yes..you guessed right..the story was inspired by true events 🌚, with some tweaks (eg I’m not married...yet🙈)
Soooooo...
In conclusion..
(Picture courtesy JDA)
A word of encouragement, light and love to our Sickle Warriors (Mom and bro, this is for you❤️)
I can’t emphasize this enough..
KNOW YOUR SICKLING STATUS!
GET TESTED!
FALL IN STATUS BEFORE YOU FALL IN LOVE! 🌚
THANK YOU 😊
NB.
-Sickle life is a foundation in Ghana founded by Doctors with SCD to help prevent, inspire and educate other people with the condition, their family members and the general public. They organize seminars, health talks, blood donation exercises etc and are just all round awesome. I know this because I join them sometimes. 😎
Find out more at Sicklelife.org
-Junior Doctors Association of Ghana is rather self-explanatory lol. We’re proudly affiliated with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).