AirtelTigo, ISCC hold sickle cell sensitisation exercise

AirtelTigo and the International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC) Ghana have organised a sickle-cell disease sensitisation and screening exercise at Ajumako in the Ajumako-Mando Traditional Area to help support measures being taken to raise awareness of sickle-cell disease (SCD) in the country and to improve the lives of people living with the disease.

This was made known in a press release issued by AirtelTigo at Ajumako-Mando on April 13, 2022.

 Corporate social initiative

The Head of Brand and Communication at AirtelTigo, Nancy Assor Asiedu-Amrado, said in the release that “approximately 18,000 children are born each year in Ghana with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder. Through our corporate social initiative (CSI), AirtelTigo Touching Lives, we are pleased to collaborate with the ISCC to promote sickle cell education and embark on the screening exercise in the Ajumako-Mando traditional area.

“This indeed marks the beginning of a great collaborative effort in tackling sickle-cell disease in Ghana. As we endeavour to deliver the best and quality telecommunication service in Ghana, we are also driven by our mantra of making life simple for our customers through social investments that create value for the society in which we operate.”

Appreciation

The Founder and President of the ISCC, Dr Mary Ansong, in the press release thanked the community members for welcoming the team and showing interest in SCD.

 She stated: “One of the major problems in tackling the morbidity and mortality rate of sickle-cell disease in Ghana and Africa is the lack of awareness of the condition and the needed interventions to save lives. It is, therefore, important for Ghana to implement a universal new-born screening programme and screen the entire population for the sickle-cell gene. This is because early detection helps institute the needed measures that allow people living with the disease to enjoy a fuller and healthier life.”

Dr Ansong in the release also applauded AirtelTigo, Sysmex West & Central Africa and Wesley Methodist Church for coming on board to support the ISCC during the SCD screening and to help raise awareness in Ghana.

The community members expressed their appreciation to the ISCC, AirtelTigo and their partners for the kind gesture towards their well-being.

Source: Graphic Online