Allow kids with Sickle Cell to take part in fun activities — Dr Ansong
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC), Dr Mary Ansong has asked teachers to allow children living with the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to participate in co-curricular activities in school to keep them active and maintain good health.
However, she was quick to add that strenuous activities which involved working in extreme weather conditions must be avoided.
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Dr Ansong, who made these statements in an interview with the Junior Graphic in Accra, advised that children living with SCD could participate in mild to moderate exercises with rest breaks and lots of water to prevent dehydration and stress which could both lead to pain episodes.
She noted that engaging them in such activities with their friends boosts their sense of belongingness and also prevents them from feeling marginalised.
“Caregivers need to be educated on SCD, identify the roles they can play in a child’s life and help them on the journey to good health irrespective of where they find themselves,” she explained.
She also advised schoolchildren to desist from ridiculing or looking down on friends who have SCD, especially underage children because of the condition.
Dr Ansong also encouraged children living with the disease to listen to their parents, doctors and teachers to be able to enjoy a healthy life and reduce the number of times they fall ill.
“Children living with SCD need to know that they can achieve so much regardless of the condition,” she said.
Additionally, she said when children were taught to rest when tired, drink a lot of water every day, wash their hands frequently to avoid infections, take their daily medications, eat a balanced diet and avoid swimming in cold water, they would be able to reduce frequent pain episodes.
Parents
Dr Jacqueline Gyapomaa Asibey, a Senior Specialist Pediatrician of the Holy Family Hospital, Techiman and Senior Consultant of the ISCC also told parents to educate themselves on the triggers of the condition and learn how to communicate it to their children in a way they will understand. “Parents need to explain to their children in a loving and friendly manner what can happen when the child does not take in their medications or have a certain test procedure done,” she noted.
Furthermore, she said parents needed to make important decisions for their children such as choice of clothing in cold weather, protecting the child from mosquito infested environments, informing teachers and other relevant caregivers about the child’s health needs, actions to take in case of an emergency and provide contact numbers when the child is unwell. S
he also indicated that SCD could be managed or even be cured through bone marrow transplantation, however, this curative method is expensive but with more research, there could be an affordable cure.
“Until then, it is important we build a supportive community for children living with SCD so they can go beyond the skies and fulfil their dreams and aspirations,” she said.
SCD
Sickle cell disease is a chronic blood disorder which is inherited from both parents who have the sickle cell trait (AS) or an abnormal hemoglobin such as AC among others.
Children born with SCD need to learn a few things about the condition to be able to enjoy their childhood with lots of healthy days.
