Sickle Cell : CERAC Assists Children, Sensitises Population

Living with sickle cell disease means fighting a battle every day without knowing how it will end. The patients are sometimes called “witches” because their existence is characterised by a series of hospitalisations and health crises that make schooling difficult for them. Besides the financial burden that comes with the illness, there are many prejudices linked to it in society. Within this backdrop, the First Lady of Cameroon and her humanitarian association; the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC), could not be indifferent to the dilemma of sickle cell people in the society. Reason why yesterday July 9, 2024 at the Yaounde Central Hospital, a delegation of CERAC members handed over donations to children and adolescents suffering from sickle cell. Heading the delegation was Anne Ndjodo, one of the Vice Presidents of CERAC. 
Despite the chilly weather, some 100 children suffering from sickle cell gathered at the main esplanade of the hospital to welcome their august guests who had come with gifts and words of encouragement for their families. Anne Ndjodo and her delegation came along with medical equipment, food stuffs, cleaning products and over 2,500 medications. She said the event was in line with the World Sickle Cell Day commemorated on June 9, on the theme: “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally”. The interest of CERAC in commemorating the day, Anne Njdodo revealed, was to draw attention to the disease, while focusing on the psychological suffering of the patients. “Prevention through information, screening; promoting medical research into sickle cell disease; and the development of scientific and medical partnership are essential for an effective fight against sickle cell disease. This is the meaning of CERAC’s advocacy,” the head of the CERCA’s delegation underlined. “The First Lady urges young couples to be screened for the risks of sickle cell disease before engagement, marriage or childbearing. This is a useful precaution, which helps avoid a predictable ordeal, both for parents and their children”, Anne Njdodo highlighted.
The Director of the Yaounde Central Hospital, Professor Joseph Pierr...