Sickle Cell Foundation educates media takes campaign to Badagry

THE Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria (SCFN) recently marked its World Sickle Day 2015 with a number of activities, which included media workshop on sickle cell reporting and advocacy.

This workshop, which brought together media practitioners in both the print and electronic media, was aimed at updating the knowledge of journalists, creating critical awareness about sickle cell and to improve their skills in sickle cell reporting and advocacy.

Media practitioners were identified as veritable partners in raising awareness and advocating for health.

“It is our hope that the workshop will stand participating journalists in good stead as they inform and educate the public about sickle cell disorder,” the group said.

Speakers and topics addressed at the workshop included the National Burden of Sickle Cell Disorder in Nigeria, delivered by Professor Olu Akinyanju.

Dr. Anette Akinsete spoke on the role of the national sickle cell centre in the management of sickle cell disorder while Mr. Femi Sowoolu’s topic was Sickle cell reporting and advocacy: The role of the media.

Participants commended SCFN for organising the workshop and hoped more workshops would follow in the future.

To mark the World Sickle Day, a community outreach programme took place at Badagry Local Council.

“As part of our continued effort to create awareness on critical issues affecting SCD in the country, we organized an outreach programme to a rural local council in Badagry in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Health and Badagry Local Council.

The aim was to raise awareness about SCD in a rural area and ensure that people at the grassroots were reached with appropriate information on available services and care for affected persons.

The main features of the event included “Health Talk on SCD,” which was delivered by our National Director/ CEO, and free genotype and blood group tests.

The event attended by Dr. F. Seriki, of Badagry General Hospital. Dr. Olajumoke Oyenugfa representing, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. A. O. Akintayo, Rev. Fr., Jerome Omoregie of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and Mrs. Sally Abegunde among others.

The event was part-sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd.