The Sickle Cell Advocacy and Mangement Initiative (SAMI) has congratulated the government and good people of Zambia as they set to launch a major public health policy that could greatly address the issue of sickle cell in the landlocked southern African country. The policy known as newborn screening policy will ensure that sickle cell is diagnosed in the first 28 days of a baby’s life.
The press statement by the health-based NGO founded by Toyin Adesola reads: ‘The Government of Zambia is set to launch a forward looking policy that could transform the public health in that Southern African country tomorrow 21st April 2021. The newborn screening policy is a public health policy that ensures that every newborn is tested within day 0 and day 28 for a group of health disorders that may impede good life and livelihood for the baby.’
‘We can boldly say that this is a huge step ‘to have a society where sickle cell disorder is reduced’ in the Republic of Zambia just as our towering vision proposes. It is a big, bold step forward.’
The NGO founded in 2008 encouraged encouraged Nigeria to take a progressive step to institute this public health policy. ‘We are upbeat that Nigeria and indeed all African countries south of the Sahara will formulate this public health policy as soon as possible. Sickle cell is a health concern that we must jointly tackle.’
‘It is important to note that newborn Screening does not only facilitate the early and adequate diagnosis and management of sicklecell, it aids many other medical disorders like cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria. It could also screen for hearing loss.’
‘Reports show that it might indicate signs for Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder’, they mentioned.
‘We congratulate the good people of Zambia on this feat’, SAMI concluded her statement
