Sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition that makes the red blood cells appear sickle shaped and unable to function well.
Red blood cells play a role in transport of oxygen to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues as a waste product.
Thus in a person with sickle cell anemia, delivery of oxygen and removal of waste gas is compromised.
Some of the symptoms of this condition include shortness of breath during light exercise like climbing stairs, dizziness and may ultimately lead to death if not managed quickly.
The World Health Organization states that sickle cell anemia is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where Kenya belongs.
In Kenya, the Western and Nyanza regions are the most affected.
Since it’s a genetic condition, intermarriages between these communities play a great role in the continuity of the disease.
When two people with sickle cell trait marry and have children, there is a 25 per cent possibility of getting a child with sickle cell and 50 per cent chance of getting another carrier of the trait.
Thus, this needs to be controlled at an early stage.
The Kenyan government is not doing enough to curb this monster condition.
There is need for genetic counseling in health facilities for couples who are either sicklers or have the trait.
For this to happen, experts in the field must be recruited by the government.
Perhaps this will reduce the number of those born with sickle cell and eventually reduce the national population with sickle cell anemia.
General public awareness through health personnel and in public events is also a necessary step.
Early detection of sickle cells using rapid diagnostic techniques should be widely adopted in health institutions and the costs made affordable to the common citizens.
This will ensure early management of the condition and reduce deaths.