Today is ‘World Sickle Cell Day’ 

 

IN line with the 2008 declaration by the United Nations (UN), the global community today will mark the “World Sickle Cell Day.”
The UN described Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) as a “global public health priority” and picked June 19 of every year as ‘World Sickle Cell Day’ in 2008.
A statement made available by Ayoola Olajide, editor of SCD Journal, a magazine focused on the disease, stated that SCD “affects millions worldwide, especially in Africa where 20 per cent of the population has the sickle cell trait.”
Olajide continued: “With an estimated three to five million having sickle cell anaemia and over 40 million with the sickle cell trait, Nigeria carries the greatest burden of this preventable genetic health condition.
“We believe nothing short of massive public enlightenment would begin to chip at the iceberg of ignorance (even among well-educated people) about SCD. For this reason, as from June 19, 2012, the African Sickle Cell News & World Report is making available for free online every past and future editions.
This singular gesture will benefit not just Nigerians or Africans alone, but everyone irrespective of race or geographical location.”