The Gibeleen and Sandra (GNS) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation specialising in sickle cell management and associated haematological diseases, has organised screening for students.
The Sickle Cell screening was conducted for over a hundred students of the La Bawaleshie Adventist Preparatory School and its residents.
The screening exercise was in commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Awareness Month to highlight the devastating nature of the disease and some preventive care to minimise the impact.
The Foundation also partnered Sales Support Africa to provide wheelchairs, sanitisers, and Veronica buckets during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Founder of GNS Foundation, Sandra Amponsah Ayivor, the Foundation observed this year’s awareness month with the objective of screening over 100 students, including some residents for free.
She continued that her outfit was not just screening the students and residents, but also creating massive awareness on the devastating effects of the diseases.
“We have witnessed the massive effect of sickle cell disease and how it can prevent the younger generation from reaching their potential in life.
“You would agree with me that a nation develops and moves to greater heights when its citizens are healthy holistically. Our impact today is a step in the right direction,” she said.
Madam Sarah further indicated that since the inception of the Foundation in 2013, it had embarked on a number of projects including the donation to a sickle cell clinic, blood donation exercises, and planting of trees in honour of fallen heroes.
Senior Medical Officer and Sickle Cell Specialist, Dr. Sylvester Annan Mensah, highlighted the need for the government to prioritise the treatment of sickle cell through supporting NGOs structured to sensitise communities about the significance of the disease.
He urged persons with sickle cell condition to frequent the clinic for check-ups adding, “Per- sons who have not yet checked their status are encouraged to visit the clinic for a check up as it is important to know your genotype to save you from the devastating pains of being a sickle cell patient.”
