Several Activities to Mark World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will host a series of activities in recognition of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, which will be observed on Wednesday, November 19, under the theme ‘Sickle Cell Matters, Whole Person, Whole Health – Know Your Status’.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on June 17, National Sickle Cell Programme Coordinator at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Carol Lord, explained that the events are being spearheaded by the Sickle Cell Technical Working Group (SCTWG).

Dr. Lord noted that this is a stakeholder group chaired by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and co-chaired by the Sickle Cell Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Other members of the group include public health practitioners from all Regional Health Authorities across the island, representatives from screening laboratories, as well as the patient advocacy group Sickle Cell Support Foundation Jamaica.

The week of activities began with a church service on Saturday, June 15 at the Washington Gardens Seventh-day Adventist Church, followed by the JIS Think Tank.

The second National Biennial Sickle Cell Disease Review will be held on Tuesday, June 18, where healthcare workers will be apprised of the research and advancements that have taken place within the Sickle Cell Disease Programme in Jamaica in 2022 and 2023.

Healthcare Workers who wish to participate are invited to register via the Sickle Cell Disease Coordinators in the Regional Health Authorities and Parish Health Departments as well as the various associations for medical doctors.

Dr. Lord also advised that Continuing Medical Education hours will be awarded by the Medical Council of Jamaica.

On World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, a Newstalk 93 FM outside broadcast will be hosted at the Sickle Cell Unit at the University of the West Indies.
There will also be several awareness activities in parishes across the island, such as targeted health education sessions at health facilities and schools, with the display and distribution of educational materials and quizzes. Sickle Cell screening will also be done at some facilities.

On Thursday, June 20, the SCTWG, through Professor Jennifer Knight-Madden, will participate in a hybrid World Sickle Cell Day Conference, which is being hosted by SickleInAfrica.

Professor Knight-Madden who is an advisor to the SickleInAfrica Consortium, will speak on the topic ‘Holistic Management of Sickle Cell Disease’.