Miss Southwest (M) leading sickle cell awareness march in Buea
Miss Southwest, Noella Atem, has urged the population of Buea and the Southwest to know their genotype before thinking of having children or before engaging in marriage.
This was during a sickle cell awareness campaign, which took place on November 21, 2021, in Buea, the regional capital of the Southwest Region. Miss Southwest, Noella Atem, and her team marched on the streets of Buea educating the population on the importance of knowing their genotype to avoid bringing forth sickle cell children in the world.
Talking to the press Noella Atem explained that; “sickle cell diseases are an inherited blood disorder, it is biological, and it is not contracted through local means like a blood transfusion. That is why it is important to know your genotype to know this detail when you are looking for a life partner or before thinking of having children.
“Sickle cell anaemia weakens the immune system and mostly affects the joints, bones, because is the bone marrow that gives rise to blood, and if your bone is not strong it cannot be effective. In order to prevent that, it is good to know your genotype and that of your partner. If both of you have blood type as SS or AS, do not engage in sexual activities or even think of having children, because, it is cheaper to know your gene type than taking care of a child suffering from sickle cell anaemia” she said.
On what prompted her to carry out the campaign, she said this year was dedicated to “beauty at the service of health. I have also lived with persons living with this disease all my life and I know how painful it feels living with them.” She added that people need to take the sickle cell electrophori test more seriously because sickle cell is beyond just sickle cell disease.
While encouraging those living with the disease, the beauty queen said she is planning to create an avenue where the test will be carried out at an average price for the average Cameroonian, or even for free.
By Peace Chou
