Sickle Cell Day : CERAC Raises Awareness, Assists Patients

Sickle cell disease cannot be cured, but it can be treated! It requires adequate medical follow-up, a healthy lifestyle and a good social supervision. For this to be done, the involvement of everyone is needed. That is the health professionals, government, communities, the patient's family and the patient themselves. Unfortunately, health experts say sickle cell anaemia remains unknown to many. The disease is wrongly associated with certain stereotypes and myths. And like many chronic diseases, it tends to lead the affected person into isolation. It is important to change the perception of the disease among the general public. That is why on the occasion of the World Sickle Cell Day, yesterday June 19, 2025, the First Lady of Cameroon sent a delegation of members of her charitable association; the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) to communion with sickle cell children at the Biyem-Assi District in Yaounde.
Heading CERAC’s delegation was one of the Deputy General Coordinators Angeline Ndo. She came along with diverse gifts for over 80 sick children. Among the gifts were foodstuffs, cleaning products, medical equipment as well as consumables such as gloves syringes, bandages. Angeline Ndo said it was a day to raise awareness through information and screening among the population. That is why each year, on the occasion of the world sickle cell day, CERAC’s Health Commission spared no efforts to mobilise partners such as the media and medical personnel to raise awareness on the sickle cell disease. The head of delegation said the population must be informed about the disease, care, hospital procedures and good habits to adopt. Beyond these aspect, Angeline Ndo said there was need to address the factors contributing to the progression of the disease, particularly behavioural. It is within this backdrop that the Founding President of CERAC, First Lady Chantal Biya urges young couples to be screened for sickle cell disease risks before marriage or procreation. This is a useful precaution that helps avoid a predictable ordeal for both parents and their children. “Letting ourselves be guided by the results of haemoglobin electrophoresis tests is, in my opinion, making a responsible choice”, Angeline Ndo underlined.
The Biyem-Assi District Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon, provides essential healthcare services, including regular follow-up for sickle cell disease, with an average of 65 patients per year. However, the Director of the hospital, Dr Minyem Fils Emmanuel, said the health unit faces challenges due to the absence of a specialized ward for haematology cases, forcing patients to seek care at ...