As part of efforts to mark Sickle Cell awareness day, Gibeleen and Sandra Foundation (G.N.S Foundation), has organised a free sickle cell screeningfor over 100 students at the South Labone Girls’ Vocational Training Center.
The exercise was also aimed at raising awareness of sickle cell disease and providing special genetic counselling to participants.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of G.N.S Foundation, Sandra Amponsah Ayivor said, the foundation is passionate about raising awareness on sickle cell among students because the disease can prevent the younger generation from reaching their potentials in life.
“We are here today to screen and create massive awareness on the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). So, we invited seasoned health professionals to give these girls all the education they need before the SCD screening. We have seen the massive effect of SCD and how it can prevent the younger generation from reaching their potentials in life, that is why we are very passionate about creating awareness on it among students”.
“Our mission is to give back to the society, hence we are not only passionate to create awareness on SCD but very concerned about how vulnerable ones can be well managed so they can actually live up to their potentials”, she noted.
Dr. Sylvester Annan Mensah of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics; Korlebu Teaching Hospital, added that the exercise is very important because SCD affects up to two percent of births in Ghana.
“The Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic condition that is very common among Africans. In Ghana, about two percent of births have the condition meaning that it is very important that we have more education on it as a people. Also, there are many misconceptions on the subject which have to be cleared. So, I am very elated that G.N.S foundation is educating and organising a free screening to enable these students know their genotypes. I believe this advocacy on the condition and knowing their genotypes will help them take precautions against SCD”.
On her part, Mrs. Gifty Tekpor, the South Labone Girls’ Vocational Training Center Manageress thanked G.N.S Foundation for the gesture.
“On behalf of the Centre, I want to thank the G.N.S Foundation for this exercise. This is one of a kind and I believe this gesture will help us and these skillful girls in the long run. We are grateful”.
G.N.S Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization (N.G.O) specialising in sickle cell management and associated haematological diseases (Primary goal). G.N.S also offer supports to Orphanages, Disables, Youth Mentorship and Women empowerment (Secondary goal).