Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated the need for more collaborative efforts to foster
better education and awareness about sickle cell disease just as he stated that people living with sickle
cell need empathy not sympathy. He spoke last week in Lagos as the grand patron of the First African
Congress on Sickle Cell Disease(ACSCD). Obasanjo emphasized the fact that every sickle cell sufferer
has a unique story behind the pain they go through therefore, need empathy and not sympathy. The 3- day conference organized by Dr. Sickle Cell – Center for Sickle Cell Disease in association with
Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation and supported by World Health Organization, Federal Ministry of
Health amongst other sickle cell foundations across Africa was indeed a huge event for the sickle cell
community in Africa and was attended by delegates from Ghana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Namibia, India, Netherland, Egypt, Belgium, Canada, United State and United
Kingdom. The co-chair ACSCD Congress, Dr. David Ajaere stated during his welcome address that the burden of
sickle cell disease can not be overcome by any single organization or individual, it takes an hoslitic
approach whereby partnerships are forged between organizations and relevant stakeholders with
aligned interest and vision in a bid to overcoming sickle cell disease in Africa. The Director for WHO
Africa region, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti who was represented at the congress by Prof. Jean-marie Dangou, Coordinator of Non-Communicable Disease Primary Prevention and Integrated Management also
addressed the need for setting priorities for National, regional and global SCD prevention and control
programme. The Kabaka (King) of the Buganda kingdom in Uganda who was represented at the
congress by his Minister of Health, Dr. Prosperous Nankindu also shared insight on the fight against
sickle cell disease in Uganda and how they have successfully made Ugandans more aware of sickle cell
management by puporlarising the need for genotype screening before marriage. The First lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu who was represented at the congress by Dr. Mobolaji Johnson gave a welcome address to the local and international delegates at the Congress. CEO, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, Dr. Randal Mills also stated that a cure for
sickle cell disease exists. He further mentioned that access to curative bone marrow transplant
requires partnership at all levels. The founder of MMAWT Legacy initiative and First Lady of Sokoto, Mrs Maryam Aminu Tambuwal said “Separate those who abuse drugs from those who take
prescription drugs and do not stigmatize warriors by calling them drug addicts”. President of Vicar
Hope Foundation and First lady of Abia State, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu said Sickle cell disease is mainly an
African problem adding that stakeholders on the African continent should lead efforts to eradicate
it. She also acknowledged that some non-governmental bodies and a few governments were doing
quite a bit to address the challenge of sickle cell and that individual efforts would yield better results if
there is collaboration across borders. The ACSCD International Coordinator, Amb. Eddie Resphanto
stated the need for a collective voice on sickle cell disease in Africa. He further reiterated in clear terms
on how the ACSCD will help the international sickle cell community create the platform for a collective
and collaborative impact. Also speaking at the congress, Prof. Nosa Bazuaye said that the University of Benin Teaching Hospital
has since 2017, successfully carried out 9 Bone Marrow Transplants on persons with SCD despite
obstacles and limited resources. He added that there is hope on the future of sickle cell research in
Africa if other countries could ensure they make use of the power of the collective voice. Organizations represented at the congress include National Marrow Donor Program, Sickle Cell
Foundation, Novartis, Global Blood Therapeutics(GBT), RR Mechatronics, Biomediomics, Hemex
Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Blood & Transfusion
Service, AMPATH Kenya, Sickle Cell 101 USA, Tanzania Sickle Cell Warriors Organization(TASIWA), Healing stripes Hospital, Terumo BCT, Bristol Scientifics, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Sickle Life
Ghana, Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria, Federal Medical Center Ogun State, University
of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, OAU Teaching Hospital, eHealthAfrica, Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation(SCHAF), StemRX Pharmaceuticals India, Pro-Health
International, Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative(SAMI), Lagos State University Teaching
Hospital, Manipal Hospital India, Omega-cares Foundation, Xcene Research, Bond Chemicals Limited, National Hospital Abuja, Health Forever Product Limited, Patviv Health, Assene-Laborex Limited, Zutron Pharmaceuticals, Sickle Cell Well Africa Foundation, ABU Teaching Hospital, SAI
Phytoceuticals Pvt Ltd, and Sickle Cell Aid Foundation.
