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MTNF, Sickle Cell Foundation Train Genetic Counsellors Nationwide(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MTN Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility vehicle of Nigeria's leading Information and Communication Technology Company, MTN, has facilitated the training of 336 sickle cell disorder genetic counsellors nationwide. The Foundation, in partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, provides training for health caregivers in order to enhance delivery of specialised care in the management of sickle cell disorder in Nigeria. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Batch 17 trainee healthcare counsellors comprising medical doctors, nurses and other caregivers, MTNF Director, Dennis Okoro, said that prevention of the disorder through carrier identification, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis, remains the best measure to stem sickle cell anaemia. "The sickle cell disorder affects the red blood cell, which is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. What this implies is that children will only inherit the disease when both parents pass down defective copies of the gene. This is why we partnered with the Sickle Cell Foundation eight years ago to begin training health care practitioners on genetic counselling so that couples can make informed choices," Okoro said. In his address, Chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, Prof. Olu Akinyanju, said that the training, which is organised biannually, builds capacity for the management and control of sickle cell disorder, which is a crucial goal of the Foundation in Nigeria. "We are pleased to have introduced this training and to have secured the partnership of MTN Foundation in seriously addressing sickle cell disorder in Nigeria. Genetic counselling has been widely identified as the most cost effective intervention for combating sickle cell disorder, particularly in resource poor countries. We cannot thank the MTN Foundation enough for their constant and invaluable support, " Prof Akinyanju said. In 2009, MTNF donated a state-of-the-art DNA laboratory to enable access to critical life-changing information to couples and prospective parents, enabling them to make informed decisions. The Foundation subsequently donated a DNA Sequencer, which helps to analyze the genetic make-up information of the human cells. Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jemilade Longe, charged the new genetic counsellors to go out and add value to the lives of sufferers and their families. "The relevance of the genetic counselling training course is for consistency and to continuously build knowledge on sickle cell disorder and through counselling, so that people are able to make informed choices. We also commend the MTNF Foundation for their support and for their positive social leadership and engagement," he added Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, Akinwale Goodluck, said: "At MTN, we believe in adding value while practicing good corporate governance and ethics. Committing up to One percent of MTN Nigeria's annual profit after tax to high impact corporate social investments, is a demonstration of the company's values and focus on developing people and their communities." MTNF currently supports sickle cell clinics in Lagos, Edo, Delta and Kano States and provides free drugs and counselling services. Copyright The Guardian. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |