In Africa, sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major public health problem with over 200,000 babies born per year. In Ghana, approximately 15,000 (2%) of Ghanaian newborns are diagnosed with SCD annually.
Sickle Cell Warrior Foundation, on Friday, December 9, 2020, donated items to the sickle department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
The items which included a water dispenser
also came with a package, containing a hot water bottle, deep heat, folic acid, filtered water bottles and some other items.
The late co-founder of Sickle Strong Warriors foundation, Yasmine Ponle Okudzeto, sister Sherifah Ponle was part of the team that donated the items.
The foundation was founded by late Yasmin Ponle Okudjeto who unfortunately lost her life to Sickle cell, last year.
According to Sherifah Ponle, the aim of the NGO is to raise awareness through education, information sharing and running campaigns such as “know your genotype”. Donating when possible and assisting people with sickle cell disease were possible.
She explained that the hot water bottle is to keep the patients warm, the folic acid assist on making new red blood cells.
Medical officer in charge of the facility Dr Simon Egyiin and the Principal nursing officer Selina Crabbe jointly received the items.
Dr Eggyiin said the hospital is much grateful for the efforts being made by the sickle cell warriors and the continuous gesture and their visits.
“We really appreciate the efforts being put in place by the sickle cell warriors, I think they are doing a lot…the kind of gestures and also anytime you come around from time to time… We cannot even pay back, and on behalf of the department and the patients I would like to say thank you for your time” Dr Simon Egyiin
Principal nursing officer Selina Crabbe for her part also expressed gratitude to the foundation. Saying “On behalf of the department, she is most grateful for what you have done. Adding that this is not the first time they’ve been supporting the unit.
In an interview with the mother of Yasmin Pondey Okudjeto, Mrs Madinat Okudjeto who was the mother of late Yasmin, she noted that from her experience, early recognition and referral of sickle cell related complications can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.
A multidisciplinary approach to care of SCD patients is therefore important.
She advised that all must check their sickle cell status.
The items were later distributed to both in and out patients of the department.
The group also visited the 37 hospital sickle cell unit.