Elizabeth Mosima
19 June 2008
WHO estimates that over 300,000 children born each year are affected by the disease.
Cameroon joins the rest of the international community to celebrate the fifth International Day for Sickle Cell Disease today. The theme for this year's edition is "Educate on sickle cell disease". Ahead of this important event, preparations have intensified nationwide. Sickle cell disease is the most widespread genetic disease in the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 300,000 children born each year are affected by the disease and in Africa, more than half of the children born with the disease do not live up to five years. However, many people do not know about the disease.
Created in 2000, the International Organisation for the Fight against Sickle Cell Disease (OILD) has as objective to act in favour of persons suffering from sickle cell disease. The disease unfortunately has other complications. The disease silently kills millions of children each day in the world due to lack of information, diagnosis and care. Paradoxically, the disease is not considered as a health priority in countries in which the disease is found. Statistics also show that majority of the survivors will develop complications which are often deadly especially in the less developed countries. Also, more than 200,000 persons die each year of the disease in the world. The OILD is therefore calling on the need to introduce sickle cell disease in schools to improve education and sensitisation activities and to make the disease known. This year, the international day celebrations will be an occasion for OILD to call on the United Nations to acknowledge sickle cell disease as a health priority so that assistance can be given to countries that are affected to improve the care of patients and develop research. Today and even the days after, the OILD will give an occasion for manifestations of solidarity and support and moreover incites public authorities and industries to react for the survival, health and well-being of persons suffering from sickle cell disease.
In several countries, activities will be organised to sensitise and mobilise international opinion to fight against ignorance of the disease under the patronage of the goodwill ambassador for sickle cell disease, Lilian Thuram. OILD- Cameroon will organise sensation campaign through the media. Apart from sensitisation campaign, OILD will donate equipment to the District Hospital in Soa in the Lekie Division and the Yaounde Central Hospital.
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hi - does anyone know if OILD has a Web site or phone number? I'm interested in more information about the organization. thanks!