World Sickle Cell Day: Douala Population Screened

Residents of Douala turned out in significant numbers at the Douala General Hospital on June 19 to benefit from a free sickle cell screening campaign organized as part of activities marking World Sickle Cell Day. The initiative, led by professionals at the hospital, aimed to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and encourage the public to know their haemoglobin electrophoresis status. Speaking during the event at the Douala General Hospital on Friday June 19, Dr. Megne Prisca, paediatrician at the Douala General Hospital disclosed that prevention remains the most effective weapon against the hereditary disease, which continues to affect thousands of families across Cameroon. She emphasized the importance of early screening before marriage and childbearing. She noted that individuals who carry the sickle cell trait (AS) are often unaware of their status, increasing the risk of having children born with sickle cell disease when both partners are carriers. "Sickle cell disease is a chronic and highly disabling condition with enormous social and economic consequences", she explained. "Children affected by the disease begin experiencing symptoms as early as six months of age, including painful crises and severe anaemia. Preventing new cases through awareness and screening is therefore essential”, she said. The hospital set a target of screening between 250 and 300 people during the campaign. Hospital officials believe that identifying carriers and educating them on the implications of their genetic status coul...