By Special Correspondent
“I have learned that patients with sickle cell disease should not be discriminated against; we should love and respect them so that they do not see themselves as less human, but as fully human beings.”
These are the remarks of Editha Edward, a Form Two student at Kibamba Secondary School.
Editha says she now understands that society should support people living with sickle cell disease so that they do not feel inferior, but instead integrate with others and achieve their future dreams and goals.
She was among the students present at the school on June 19, 2026, when the Sickle Cell Disease Patients Community of Tanzania [SCDPCT] visited to provide education about sickle cell disease.
SCDPCT visited the school as part of the commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day, in collaboration with the National Hospital Muhimbili [MNH].
In addition to awareness creation, students were also given the opportunity to undergo voluntary genetic screening for sickle cell traits.
At different times, some of the students who spoke to M24 TANZANIA emphasized that they will continue to be good ambassadors within their communities by sharing the accurate information they received, along with informational leaflets.
The education they received helped them gain understanding and distinguish facts from misconceptions that contribute to stigma against people living with sickle cell disease in society.
Asnath Mohamed said that before receiving this education, she used to hear misconceptions from some people claiming that sickle cell disease is caused by witchcraft and dark forces.
However, she now understands that the disease is inherited through genes from parents.
“In the community, people say those with sickle cell disease are bewitched, but we have received education from doctors. We have learned that the disease is inherited through parental genes.
Therefore, such patients should not be taken to traditional healers but to hospitals. We should not isolate them; we should love them like everyone else,” she said.
Zacharia Adam thanked the doctors as well as sickle cell “champions” for visiting the school and providing education as well as genetic screening services.
Sharing his testimony, a sickle cell survivor, Julius Joseph, said there is also a lot of misinformation in society claiming that a person with sickle cell disease cannot live beyond 18 years of age.
He said such beliefs discourage some sickle cell survivors and make them lose hope in life and abandon their dreams.
“I am over 18 years old, I have studied, and I am now a clinical officer. My dream is to become a medical doctor,” he said.
He called on students to voluntarily go for screening in order to know their genetic status early.
He emphasized that this would help them make informed life decisions and contribute to breaking the chain of sickle cell inheritance in future generations.
The Information Officer of the Sickle Cell Disease Patients Community of Tanzania, Veronica Mrema, urged students to pass on the correct information they received to their families and communities.
She said this would help eliminate misconceptions and reduce stigma against people living with the disease.
“We have come here, and you have heard the truth from specialist doctors from Muhimbili. We also came with our survivor, whom you have seen and heard from.
When you go back home, be good ambassadors of sickle cell awareness.
Together, we need to break the cycle of sickle cell disease and eliminate stigma against people living with it,” she said.
Speaking at the event, a Medical Laboratory Scientist from MNH–Mloganzila, Wilson Hape, said it is important for people to undergo early screening before deciding to start a family.
“Because if you carry the trait and marry someone who also carries the trait, there is a high chance of having a child with sickle cell disease,” he said.
He added that the disease is associated with many complications, including frequent blood shortages requiring transfusions in hospitals.
He further encouraged the public to donate blood so that when needed, it can be used to save lives, including those of sickle cell patients.
This year’s theme for the commemoration is: “Take Action for Equity: Increasing Access to Care for People with Sickle Cell Disease.”
A total of 36 students underwent voluntary screening, where six were found to be carriers of the sickle cell trait [AS], none were diagnosed with sickle cell disease [SS], and the remaining 30 students were normal [AA].
The Kibamba Secondary School administration thanked SCDPCT and MNH for providing education to their students as well as conducting the genetic screening.
Chapisha Maoni