Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) in Children: A Perspective of Religious Sympathy

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is still a major health challenge in Africa, particularly in the Sub-Saharan areas of Africa, where the burden is felt Nigeria in this case is not left out in the game of this health challenge. Indeed, many authors have written extensively, focusing on biomedical and genetic perspectives of SCA, little or no attention from religious perspective has been given to the efforts or roles played by the two peer religions, especially Islam. This paper critically examines the scourge (SCA) in children, the financial implications, stress and turbulent times parents undergo and the trauma experienced by the children. The paper peruse examines the ailment via faith-based sympathy, empathy and spiritual attention rendered. The paper, therefore, adopts qualitative approach which involves the use of existing literature works and oral interviews of SCA children and their parents and the to explore how religious points of view has lent a helping hand via the show of care, empathy and sympathy. In this paper, findings reveal that religious sympathy plays a pivotal role in enhancing psychological resilience, patience and spiritual assistance provided to ameliorate their sufferings. Islam, in this journey, emphasises patience, endurance, a test of time under destiny as they all assist in to bear the chronic nature of the disease, yet not losing hope of survival. This study identifies: stigmatisation, negligence in getting life partners, financial measurement, sleepless night by both the children and their parents. The paper therefore concludes that the medical personnel in conjunction with spiritual assistance be a conjunctional effort as such will render better hope of survival for the children as well live a qualitative life. The paper recommends that government, faith-based organisations, Mosques and Churches, all learning institutions and non-governmental organisations, should do more of advocate and counselling sessions for their community members on the need to know their genotype classes, in order to minimise the number of SCA cases.