Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative, PRNigeria Centre Seek Government Attention for Sickle Cell Survivors
The Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative (SSAI), a non-profit organisation committed to supporting individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), has called on the government to prioritise the needs of survivors and expand social welfare coverage to include them.
The group made the call while announcing the appointment of Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, the Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, as Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
The announcement was made by SSAI Team Lead, Saleh Faruq Gagarawa, during a courtesy visit to the PRNigeria Centre in Abuja. Gagarawa decried the neglect of SCD survivors in policy frameworks and public health initiatives, despite their daily battles with poverty, inadequate healthcare, and social exclusion.
“In founding the Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative, we were driven by the lack of tangible support for sickle cell warriors in Nigeria,” Gagarawa stated. “While many organisations focus on awareness and discouraging marriages that could result in sickle cell births, very few focus on those already living with the condition.”
He noted that many SCD survivors live below the poverty line and face significant barriers in accessing basic healthcare, medications, and regular medical check-ups. Blood shortages and exclusion from government support programs, he said, further compound their plight.
“Even under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, despite commendable efforts for people with disabilities and genetic conditions, sickle cell survivors were largely excluded,” Gagarawa lamented.
Another member of the team, Ruqqaya Aliyu, highlighted the core interventions of SSAI. These include the Scholar Warriors Program, SkillUp Warriors Initiative, SafeNet Support Scheme, LoveStrong Campaign, Lead Warriors Academy, and the SheStrong Warriors Program, the latter specifically designed to promote gender inclusion and empower female warriors.
Responding to his appointment, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib expressed gratitude and pledged unwavering commitment to the Initiative’s cause.
“This is a deeply emotional yet innovative initiative,” Shuaib said. “What you have created is more than a platform; it’s a mission to educate, engage, and uplift those who are often overlooked. I don’t see this as just an appointment—it’s a call to action, and I accept it wholeheartedly.”
He assured SSAI of his support in amplifying the voices of SCD warriors, providing hope to the hopeless, and building lasting resilience among survivors through strategic media and advocacy engagements.
The Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative (SSAI) is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by Sickle Cell Disease across Nigeria. Through a blend of advocacy, sustainable interventions, and inclusive programs, the Initiative aims to enhance access to care and foster a supportive ecosystem for sickle cell warriors nationwide.
