Alieu B.W. Sambou made these remarks at the American Corner as part of activities marking the International Sickle Cell Awareness month on Saturday.
The event held on the theme –‘Sickle Cell and Lifestyle’, seeks to help focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease, while also reminding authorities on the need to cater for these patients.
To that end, Sambou urged his fellow warriors to keep fighting and should not allow the sickness deprive them of living their life or allowing people give them death sentences.
“I have been given death sentences growing up, but here I'm and still breathing and fighting. You are not going to die if your time is not up. I have seen a sickle cell warrior live for more than 90 years, so let nobody give you death sentence,” he said.
For his part, Momodou Gassama, National Professional Officer on Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health at World Health Organisation
(WH O), said the disease is global threat, but that it is centered in Africa owing to the high rate of ignorance surrounding the illness.
“Looking at the statistics 120Million people are living with the disease globally, but 80Million are all in Africa. This is due to low awareness about the disease and failure of people knowing their genetic before going in to marriage thus bringing in children with the disease.” he said.
He advised parents that have children with the ailment to always care for their loved ones and not deprive them of playing.
Modou Bella Jallow, a Medical Doctor and Hematologist at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and Board Member GSCA, said people living with the disease have higher rate of contracting infections.
“Therefore, they should be conscious of their personal hygiene and food they consume. You need to be eating good food to be able to get the required nutrients for your body so that your cell can function normally. You also need to take your personal hygiene seriously because you are prone to infections and that could bring other diseases added to the one you are battling.” he advised.
He also advised warriors and parents to desist from herbal treatment because that can only increase complications.
He encouraged them to always stay hydrated to prevent kidney related problems because already they do not have excess to water in their bodies.
The event also witnessed signing of a MOU between the association and Nesthet Clinical Services.
