SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION NIGERIA NEEDS ABOUT 250 MILLION NAIRA:



Picture above shows Yemi Onijara right, addressing the audience on the function of the Genetic Analyizer Software at the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria Clinic at Idi-Araba Lagos Nigeria.   

As part activies lined up to mark the 2014 World SICKLE CELL DAY billed for June 19 2014, the management of SICKLE FOUNDATION NIGERIA organised a media tour led by the chairman of the Foundation, Professor Olu Akinyanju. The purpose of the tour was for the media to witness the State of-the-art equipments that was in place and how to get more to meet up with international standard. The Foundation according to the Chairman needs about 250 Million Naira to make the clinic compete favourably with any Sickle cell Clinic in the world. The Genetic Analyizer department for instance has a Genetic  Analyizer equipment which is used for a million of tests; Like paternity dispute, Bone marrow transplant,Forensic etc. The results gotten from this machine is sent overseas for verification because the Genetic Analyizer Software is not in place, thus making treatment for people living with Sickle Cell Disorder expensive and unaffordable for the common man. For instance, a prenatal diagnosis used to determine the genotype of an unborn child cost about 230 thousand naira and usually takes about one week for the result to be ready. But if the Genetic Anayizer Software is in place, the cost will drop to about 100,000 Naira and the result will be ready in forty-eight hours says Yemi Onijala Molecular Labouratory Scientist who works with Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria Clinic.



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