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2013

Jun 2013   Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a major genetic disease in most Sub Sahara countries although not much attention has been given to the systematic caring of the affected children. In Zambia more investment has been put in other communicable diseases compared to this non-communicable disease. This becomes a great concern especially that SCD has been claiming many lives of children just like other diseases. This is partly why the Zambian Childhood Cancer Foundation ZACCAF came to be. ZACCAF is a parent organisation that aims at providing holistic care to children with cancer and life threatening blood disorders and also their families through practical and psychosocial support programmes.
Eyitayo Fakunle, PhD
Jun 2013   It is known that many infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS are epidemic in Africa, where over 22 million people live with this disease. However, non-communicable and genetic diseases also have a high prevalence in Africa, and need to gain higher priority in the health agenda. Over 12 million people in Sub Saharan Africa have diabetes, and the prevalence is rapidly increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 75% of the cases of sickle cell disease occur in Africa. In some countries like Nigeria, 150,000 children are born with the condition each year. Furthermore, the sickle cell carrier status is as high as 45% in countries like Uganda, and ranges between 20% to 30% in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Cameroon. (1)
Jun 2013   Hi, my name is Marriam Carol Mulumba. You can call me Carol. I was born on May 31, 2001. I am 12 years old. I was born with a disease called Sickle Cell Anemia. Unfortunately for me, I had the severe type. The doctors said I wouldn't live past five. My mom and dad were depressed all the time. Everything was hard for me. Running, walking, and even holding something was so painful! My life was miserable.