–
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, POPULATION AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS DR IDI ILLIASSOU MAÏNASSARA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST SICKLE CELL DISEASE, EDITION 2022.
Our country celebrates, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, the international day of fight against sickle cell disease.
On December 22, 2009, the General Assembly of the United Nations recognized sickle cell disease as a public health problem by devoting June 19 of each year as an international awareness day on this disease.
Sickle cell disease is the world’s leading genetic disease, affecting around 50 million people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year 300,000 children are born with a major anomaly of hemoglobin and there are more than 200,000 cases in Africa.
For the African continent, the WHO indicates a prevalence of 13%.
Niger is one of the countries where sickle cell disease is a major public health problem due to its high prevalence, estimated at 23.2%.
The theme this year is “sickle cell disease: strategies to improve quality of life”. This theme is very relevant when we know that the number of patients is only increasing every year and sickle cell disease is a hereditary and debilitating disease giving rise to physical and psychological suffering.
The aim is to improve the management of this disease through research, the training of health professionals and, above all, awareness campaigns. Fortunately, in Niger, the highest authorities of the Republic, many health professionals, patient associations are mobilizing to move the lines in this area.
I can therefore assure you that in Niger, sickle cell disease is no longer this “orphan” disease that makes millions of patients, because the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease (CNRD) offers them easy access to care.
The National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease (CNRD) created by Decision No. 011/PRN of August 12, 2009, is a public institution of a Scientific and Technical nature, placed under the technical supervision of my ministerial department and whose missions include: :
– The medical, psychological and social care of subjects with sickle cell disease;
– The training of health professionals in the specific management of sickle cell disease according to validated standards;
– Prevention through awareness, screening and genetic counselling;
– The promotion of medical research on sickle cell disease;
– The development of scientific and medical partnerships in the field of the fight against sickle cell disease.
On Sunday, June 19, the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease will organize free and voluntary screening sessions followed by blood donation at its headquarters in the Terminus district. During the same day, focus groups will be organized to raise awareness among patients and other people who come to be tested.
This is the place for me to reaffirm here all the will of the authorities of the Republic and first and foremost, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic, Head of State, who has invested in human development, further support all health promotion initiatives in general and disease control in particular.
I would like to remind you that the fight against sickle cell disease enjoys real support from the government.
It is also the place to pay a well-deserved tribute and to thank all the people who work tirelessly for better care of sickle cell patients.
I also take this opportunity to thank all the technical and financial partners who are committed alongside us to win the fight against this scourge. With this, I declare to officially launch the activities of the International Sickle Cell Day in Niger, 2022 edition.
I thank you for your kind attention
–
