Sickle Cell π©Έ
The International Day of Sickle Cell, celebrated every year on June 19, focuses global attention on a genetic blood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. This year, the global community observes the day under the theme, “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.” This theme calls for fair and equal access to diagnosis, treatment, and support for every individual, regardless of where they live or the resources they have.
The Global Impact on Africa
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 7.74 million people live with sickle cell disease globally, and more than 515,000 babies are born with the condition each year. The WHO highlights that the burden is heaviest in Africa, where approximately 66% of the world’s sickle cell population lives. In fact, around 1,000 babies are born every single day with a high risk of sickle cell disease on the African continent. Sadly, without early screening and proper medical care, the WHO reports that 50% to 80% of infants born with the disease in Africa die before reaching the age of five, making it a leading invisible contributor to under-five mortality.
The Situation in Cameroon
In Cameroon, the impact of sickle cell disease is a major public health priority. Health data reveals that Cameroon is among the highly affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a carrier prevalence rate where roughly 1 in every 4 people carries the sickle cell trait. This means approximately 25% of the population is a carrier, creating a high probability of passing the gene to future generations if status is unknown.
An Invisible Disability
When we look closer at these daily realities, it becomes clear that sickle cell disease is deeply connected to the world of disability. Severe chronic illnesses like sickle cell are themselves dynamic, invisible disabilities. The situation becomes even more heartbreaking and complex when we imagine the heavy reality of overlapping challenges faced by persons with disabilities living with sickle cell disease. Imagine a young child who is already living with impairment such as a child who is visually impaired or who uses an assistive device to move due to physical challenges and who also inherits sickle cell disease. For this child, growing up means facing a double layer of severe barriers.
A Global Call to Action
As we commemorate this day, the world must also consider accessible ways to communicate this theme to persons with disabilities. They, too, require access to knowledge and treatment, as persons with disabilities can also carry the sickle cell trait. Consequently, they need education especially those who are not yet married but may marry in the future so they can know their genotype. There is an urgent need for accessible information, accessible diagnosis, accessible awareness-raising, and accessible treatment. Furthermore, global data currently lacks the quality needed to pinpoint the exact number of persons with disabilities who have the disease. This data gap means that public health authorities and the disability community itself do not yet fully understand the true scale of the problem
Preventing the spread of sickle cell disease starts with awareness of our genetic traits. Know your genotype before having kids.
Know Your Genotype
Safe & Compatible Matchings (Zero Risk of Sickle Cell Disease)
- AA + AA: Excellent. All children will be AA.
- AA + AS: Good. Children will be AA or AS (carriers, but healthy).
- AA + SS: Safe. All children will be AS carriers, but none will have the disease.
- AA + AC: Good. Children will be AA or AC.
Incompatible Matchings (High Risk of Sickle Cell Disease)
- AS + AS: High Risk. 25% chance of having a child with SS (Sickle Cell Anemia) in every single pregnancy.
- AS + SS: Very High Risk. 50% chance of children inheriting SS.
- AS + AC: High Risk. 25% chance of a child inheriting SC disease.
- SS + SS: Absolute Risk. 100% of children will be born with SS disease
