NIGERIAN DOCTORS SET TO BATTLE SICKLE CELL DISORDER

The 14^th Genetic Counselling Training course on sickle Cell Disorder organised by Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria ended today March 30, 2012 at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba Lagos Nigeria with about thirty participants graduating from the two week course. The most exciting thing about this training is that for the first time since the course was initiated, the Doctors outnumbered the nurses. In times past, the nurses had always outnumbered the Doctors, but this edition was different as the Doctors outnumbered the nurses. The number of Doctors that participated in the course was eleven while the nurses recorded nine. According to the Chairman of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Professor Olu Akinyanju, the course was initiated so that genetic counsellors can ensure that their clients-affected persons, their parents or healthy carriers of the sickle gene- are provided with all the information necessary to assist them in understanding the pattern, the manifestations and the complications of SCD. This enables them cope better with the disorder and make informed life-style decisions. Trained councellors also help to establish and run support and advocacy associations such as Sickle Cell Clubs, create awareness and promote the development of dedicated Sickle Cell Clinics and other appropriate facilities in their communities. Speaking to Dr. Sani Awwalu an Haematologist with Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna who was one of the eleven Doctors that attended the course and also came second in the training programme, he said that the purpose of his attending the training was because Nigeria has the highest number of Sickle Cell patients in the world which is actually disturbing with government doing little or nothing to tackle this problem. This actually made me come for the course which is of international standard so that I in my little way can affect the society positively. Photo Above: R-L Professor Olu Akinyanju, Chairman Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria addressing the audience at the Closing/Certificate Award Ceremony of the Genetic Counselling Training Course on Sickle Cell Disorder, Dennis Okoro, Director MTN Foundation, representing Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu, Chairman MTN Foundation, Dr. Victor Adekunle, representing the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Wale Oke, Chief Medical Director LASUTH and Francis Barde head of corporate affairs Union Bank of Nigeria, representing the Group Managing Director of Union Bank, Mrs Funke Osibodu at the occasion

The participants

Mrs Florence Oreitan Adefolayin receiveing her first position prize from the Chairman of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Professor Olu Akinyanju at the Closing/Certificate Award Ceremony of the Genetic Councelling Training Course on Sickle Cell Disorder which took place at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos Nigeria on March 30, 2012

Dr. Sani Awwalu a Haemotologist says he came for the training because he is disturbed by the high rate of Sickle Cell Disorder in Nigeria