Convergence Drépanocytose, a Non-Goernmental Organisation in charge with the follow-up of sickle cell Patients has instructed them to stay glued to medical appointments for a better control of their health conditions. Officials of this Organisation were talking in Yaoundé on June 19, in a public gathering that brought together some 300 sickle cell Patients.
This was on the occasion of the commemoration of the 13th edition of World Sickle Cell Day observed every June 19. The 300 patients who were mostly made up of youths were brought together to share different experiences with their peers, learn more about their illness, and to combat stigmatisation.
To overcome the challenge, specialists at the event advised sickle cell Patients to learn to accept their state of being, and to fully respect medical instructions given to them.
At the end of the work session, the patients who came in their numbers gain a new energy, and were more determined to fight for their lives by respecting all medical instructions given to them. « We sickle cell Patients have to take care of ourselves by drinking our water everyday, taking our drugs, not wearing tight fitting clothes or dresses that can cause pains, stay away from things that can provoke illness, not to drink cold water, stay away from cold, and to wear thick dresses, » said Zoa Balla, a 14-year-old sickle cell Patient. Parents were called upon to properly follow up their kids, to ensure that they take the necessary precautions, to grow healthily.
The workshop was organised by Convergence Drépanocytose, with assistance from the Non-Governmental Organisation, Pierre Fabre Foundation, all humanitarian associations engaged in the fight against the spread of the sickle cell diseases.
This year’s theme is « shine the light on sickle cell Patients.»Statistics from the World Health Organisation have it that five million people in the world are sickle cell Patients, with close to seven percent of the min Cameroon.
The World Sickle Cell Day presented itself as an opportunity for some elderly patients to share their life experiences with younger ones, and do rebuke the mythical belief that sickle cell Patients dit not live for long. This was the case with the 53-year-old Fernand Tekoua, a logistic administrator in Douala.
He says that living as a sickle cell Patient has not been easy, but that he has learnt to accept his condition and now lives like any other healthy human being. Fernand Tekoua, who hails from the West Region of Cameroon, is married for 15years now, and he is a father of three. He says that the beginning of his marital life was not all rosy because of his status. He however says that his family has been able to accept him the way he is, and that their love and care remain his driving force.
He has never allowed his health condition to bring him down throughout his carrier. Besides working as a logistic administrator, he does other activities like farming and visiting football stadia for leisure.
Just like Fernand Tekoua, Charles Motapo is a father of two kids who are all sickle cell Patients. The ordeal of this 40-year-old man who lives in Foumban began when his wife successfully gave birth to two children suffering from sickle cell anemia. One of these children died of the sickness five years ago.
He says that taking care of his little daughter has not been easy, given her health situation demands a lot. « It is not easy at all. It is really a difficult situation because we have to visit the hospital regularly so that she can be in good health. It is even more difficult for a jobless couple like us, » Charles lamented.
This farmer says that he raises money to take care of his daughter from his agriculture work and other subsidiary businesses. He also survives thanks to a Non-Governmental Organisation in the West region put in place to fight against the diseases. The associate, he says, gives them some advice on how to handle their children, and provided them with some medical facilities in hospitals. For instance, they are services that they do not pay for. Parents victims of sickle cell anemia through the voices of Fernand Tekoua and Charles Motapo launch a clarion call to young couples to go in for a medical test to know their genotype status before marriage.
Ingrid KENGNE
