Hundreds of residents, healthcare professionals, development partners, and beneficiaries gathered today as the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) hosted a symbolic “Red Rally Against Sickle Cell Disease” at Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (Nassarawa Hospital), Kano, to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day 2026.
The event, held under the theme “AbbaCare: Closing the Survival Gap, Ensuring Equity in Sickle Cell Care,” was aimed at raising awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), promoting early diagnosis and prevention, and showing solidarity with individuals and families affected by the condition.
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Speaking at the rally, the Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar, described the initiative as a demonstration of the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving healthcare access for persons living with Sickle Cell Disease.
She emphasized that tackling SCD goes beyond treatment, stressing the need for sustained public awareness, genotype testing, community support, and collective responsibility among stakeholders.
Dr. Muktar noted that more than 30,000 people living with Sickle Cell Disease are currently benefiting from healthcare coverage under the AbbaCare Initiative, which she described as a major social health protection programme in the state.
She also urged young people and intending couples to prioritize genotype testing and genetic counselling as preventive measures, while encouraging patients to adhere to prescribed treatments and regular medical care.
The rally featured sensitisation activities, awareness campaigns, and messages aimed at reducing stigma, improving understanding of Sickle Cell Disease, and encouraging early health-seeking behaviour.
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KSCHMA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare interventions and expanding access to quality services for vulnerable populations across Kano State.