The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) is proud to announce the observance of the First Annual Sickle Cell Disease World Day. This day of observance is the product of the December 18, 2008, United Nations Resolution that called for the recognition of sickle cell anemia as a public health problem and “one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases.” The resolution calls for member States and the organizations of the United Nations system to raise awareness of sickle-cell anemia on June 19th of each year at the national and international level.
SCDAA would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Sickle Cell Disease International Organization (SCDIO) in bringing about the passage of this United Nations Resolution and in establishing this annual international day of awareness.
The public celebration of this resolution will be held June 19th at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations.
The resolution has seven major components;
1. Recognizes that sickle cell anemia is a major health problem
2. Underlines the need to raise public awareness about sickle cell anemia and to eliminate harmful prejudices associated with the disease
3. Urges Member states and organizations of the United Nations to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia on the 19th of June each year at the national and international levels
4. Encourages member states as well at the United Nations member agencies, funds and programs, international institutions and development partners to support health systems and primary health care delivery, including efforts to improve the management of sickle cell anemia
5. Invites member states, international organizations and civil society to support the efforts being made to combat sickle cell anemia, including as part of health-system strengthening efforts in the various development programs, and to encourage basic and applied research on the disease
6. Urges the Member states in which sickle cell anemia is a public health problem to establish national programs and specialized centers for treatment of sickle cell anemia and facilitate access to treatment
7. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member states and organizations of the United Nations system.
SCDAA would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Sickle Cell Disease International Organization (SCDIO) in bringing about the passage of this United Nations Resolution and in establishing this annual international day of awareness.
The public celebration of this resolution will be held June 19th at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations.
The resolution has seven major components;
1. Recognizes that sickle cell anemia is a major health problem
2. Underlines the need to raise public awareness about sickle cell anemia and to eliminate harmful prejudices associated with the disease
3. Urges Member states and organizations of the United Nations to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia on the 19th of June each year at the national and international levels
4. Encourages member states as well at the United Nations member agencies, funds and programs, international institutions and development partners to support health systems and primary health care delivery, including efforts to improve the management of sickle cell anemia
5. Invites member states, international organizations and civil society to support the efforts being made to combat sickle cell anemia, including as part of health-system strengthening efforts in the various development programs, and to encourage basic and applied research on the disease
6. Urges the Member states in which sickle cell anemia is a public health problem to establish national programs and specialized centers for treatment of sickle cell anemia and facilitate access to treatment
7. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member states and organizations of the United Nations system.
