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One disease that seems to receive a great impact of stigmatization is Sickle Cell Disease which people think having the trait guarantees one’s death warrant.

A Sickle Cell Patient Mr. Nkansah Boateng Ababio, who is clocking his forties has recounted the number of unsuccessful relationships he had because of his medical status which according to has made him lose interest in any relationship.

He said this the situation is applied to all sickle cell patients and not only him per the experiences, but his colleagues also shared with him.

“People don’t really want to go into a relationship with us because of our sickle cell status and I believe this is has been affecting us in diverse ways as human,” he said.

“I remember how a lady shunned me for a Man of God because of my status after staying with her through her education”

Mr. Nkansah Boateng Ababio was speaking on “Mpom Tesen” on Hello FM with Oheneyere Adwoa Aprebi during sickle cell day.

Sickle cell day is celebrated every June 19, to raise the awareness on Sickle Cell across the globe.

Apart from the relationship challenges, people who live with the disease go through a lot of moral trauma because of the humiliation meted on them.

Sickle cell

A Sickle Cell is a group of disorders that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down. With sickle cell disease, an inherited group of disorders, red blood cells contort into a sickle shape. The cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells (sickle cell anaemia) and can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis).

Infections, pain, and fatigue are symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Treatments include medication, blood transfusions, and rarely a bone-marrow transplant.