The Impact of Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle cell disease comprises of a group of genetic blood disorders and occurs when a sickle cell gene is inherited from both parents. The effects of the condition include anaemia, obstruction of small blood capillaries causing pain and damage to organs such as spleen, liver, kidneys and lungs. Sickle cell disease like other chronic diseases results into untold sufferings to the patients. These include the condition itself and psycho-social problems for example, social exclusion, depression, poor performance at school and last but not least, dejection. Almost all people with this disease in Africa are within the most productive age, 13-36 years. It is therefore essential to find a proper solution to this problem (sickle cell disease and its impact) because if left unchecked the future of many governments in Africa is at stake.