The message came from Dr. Michael Budzi in charge sickle cell at Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital on Saturday July 18, 2020 during a sensitization meeting organized by Joy2Endure Foundation in partnership with the Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital, Arise4Africa Foundation, RalphSamuel’s Solidarity and others. The gathering targeted the education of sickle cell warriors on good practices to be carried out in this season when the world and humanity have been violently hit by the deadly coronavirus. Dr. Michael who facilitated deliberations during the sitting says no group or race is to be indifferent about the spread of the virus and this was why the come together was organized to educate, sensitize and counsel warriors who struggle to manage their usual crisis and to contain the spread of the virus. Addressing over a hundred warriors who were in attendance, he said, “step down the fear for the virus and not precautions.” This, they tried to reduce stigma and raise hopes of sickle cell warriors. The encouragement was timely because it was coming at a moment when the warriors were growing weak psychologically. From statistics gathered in a country like France, out of the many warriors that were infected like any other, only two have died of covid-19. To the attendees, this was a morale booster and a wake-up call to keep the fighting spirit while scrupulously observing the barrier measures put in place by the World Health organization, WHO and the Government of Cameroon.
Joy2Endure Foundation and her partners in their drive to curb the spread of the virus in the community of warriors distributed masks and hand sanitizers to all who answered present.
The Foundation is led by Arrey-Echi Agbor-Ndakaw, sickle cell warrior, voice and Ambassador in Cameroon. They had carried out similar exercises at Mboppi Baptist Hospital, Douala on World Sickle Cell day, June 19, Bamenda on the 27th of June and last face was in Yaounde. So far, they have reached out to about 300 sickle cell warriors.
Participants and sickle cell warriors like Blessing and Kengong Dalynda were visibly satisfied at the end of the sensitization and took home the encouragement that they have same chances to overpower covid-19 like others who are not having their same condition. To them, the stigma is gone and they join the entire humankind to fight and stop the spread of covid-19 in Cameroon.
Awoh Caleb in Yaounde
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