By Mahamood Fofana
The Director of Sustainable Humanitarian Advocacy for Sickle Cell, Abdulai Ibrahim Sankoh, has urged the Government of Sierra Leone, development partners, and health stakeholders to place greater emphasis on the welfare and protection of people living with sickle cell disease, highlighting the persistent challenges of stigma, discrimination, family neglect, and limited employment opportunities faced by patients across the country.
Speaking during Hope Radio’s popular AM Live programme in Makeni, Sankoh shared his personal experience of discrimination, revealing that he once lost a promising job opportunity solely because he disclosed that he was living with sickle cell disease.
According to him, after successfully meeting all recruitment requirements and performing well during the interview process, his chances of securing employment were abruptly cut short once his health condition became known.
“I have lost a job because I introduced myself as a sickle cell patient after passing the requirements and interview,” Sankoh disclosed.
He described the incident as a painful example of the prejudice and misconceptions that continue to affect people living with the disease. Sankoh stressed that many employers still hold outdated beliefs about sickle cell patients, often assuming they are incapable of maintaining productive careers or fulfilling workplace responsibilities.
Beyond workplace discrimination, the advocate expressed deep concern over the treatment many sickle cell patients receive within their own families. He noted that widespread misconceptions regarding life expectancy often result in neglect, exclusion, and emotional suffering for patients.
“Many people believe that individuals living with sickle cell disease cannot live long or achieve their dreams. Because of these misconceptions, some patients are denied opportunities, support, and even basic respect within their families and communities,” he explained.
Sankoh called on the Ministry of Health to strengthen healthcare services for sickle cell patients by improving access to diagnosis, treatment, counselling, and long-term disease management programmes. He emphasized that adequate medical support is critical to improving the quality of life and survival rates of affected individuals.
The call comes amid alarming statistics surrounding sickle cell disease in Sierra Leone. According to Medical Assistance Sierra Leone, more than 4,000 children are born with the condition each year, while approximately two percent of the country’s population is affected by the disease. The organisation further reports that nearly 80 percent of children born with sickle cell disease die before reaching the age of five, largely due to late diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and frequent cases of misdiagnosis.
Sankoh also acknowledged the challenges faced by advocacy groups in commemorating World Sickle Cell Day, observed annually on June 19 following its designation by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008. He noted that limited funding and resource constraints had affected planned activities marking this year’s observance.
Despite these challenges, he announced that a Sickle Cell Awareness Walk will be held in Makeni on Saturday, June 20, 2026, aimed at raising public awareness about the disease, combating stigma, and encouraging early testing and treatment.
The advocate further appealed to the government to move beyond the establishment of a Sickle Cell Task Force and ensure that the body delivers tangible benefits for patients.
“The government has created a task force, giving us a voice, but we need greater commitment to restore our dignity and improve our living conditions,” Sankoh stated.
He also called for the strengthening and expansion of the Sickle Cell Society, urging it to become a truly national institution that serves patients across all regions of Sierra Leone rather than concentrating most of its activities in Freetown. As awareness efforts continue, Sankoh emphasized that addressing sickle cell disease requires a coordinated national response involving government institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, and local communities. He maintained that with adequate support, improved healthcare services, and stronger public education campaigns, people living with sickle cell disease can lead productive and fulfilling lives while contributing meaningfully to national development
