Stakeholders commend MTN Foundation

Emeka Ibemere 

It was a special day during the 16^th edition of the graduation ceremony of the newest batch of health workers who completed a genetic counseling course organized by the Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, recently.

The essence of the graduation was to breed up genetic counselors who will help counsel sufferers/carriers so as to enable them make informed decisions.

The programme was wrapped up by the MTN Foundation and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, to help improve the lot of sufferers of sickle cell anemia

. Daily Newswatch gathered that both organizations have over the past eight years been partnering together in the fight against the killer-sickness in Nigeria. During the graduation ceremony, stakeholders in the health sector praised MTN Foundation, for their social responsibility through the programme.

The stakeholders commended the MTN Foundation’s, corporate social responsibility in its contributions towards alleviating the scourge of sickle cell anaemia in Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

Speaking at the occasion, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who was represented by Director, Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jemilade Longe, appreciated MTN Foundation for supporting the Sickle Cell Foundation by sponsoring the training of yet another set of genetic counsellors that will provide relevant counsel to affected families.

“I commend MTN Foundation for sponsoring the training programme for genetic counsellors. The initiative will go a long way in helping affected persons and their families make informed decisions with regard to the disorder and knowing precisely the next steps to take should they be faced with the disease,” Dr. Longe said.

In his own remarks, Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro said that MTN Foundation entered into partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria in May 2006 with a view to bringing succours to sufferers of sickle cell disorder. The total number of counsellors trained since the collaboration began has risen to 319, he added.

“Since our partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation eight years ago, we have worked tirelessly to improve the lot of Nigerians suffering from the disorder by supporting sickle cell clinics in Lagos, Edo, Delta and Kano States and also by providing free drugs and counselling services. The number of beneficiaries in these clinics continues to increase by the day. Currently, this figure stands at 7, 730,” Okoro explained

On his part, Chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Professor Olu Akinyanju, said the role of trained genetic nurse-counsellors is extremely important as they are the most cost-effective first step in managing sickle cell disorder in the communities. He added that sickle cell remains a complex disorder with variable severity and often unpredictable manifestations.

“The role of the genetic counsellors is to ensure that their clients, that is, affected persons, parents or carriers are provided with all the information necessary to assist them in coping and reaching their own decision on any course of action and to respect and support those decisions. The counsellors also help to form and run support and advocacy associations, as well as promote the development of appropriate facilities in their localities,” Professor Akinyanju added.

In addition to the state-of-the-art DNA laboratory, the MTN Foundation also recently provided a DNA Sequencer which helps to analyze the genetic makeup information of the human cells. A modern automated DNA sequencing instrument improves the capacity and efficiency of prenatal diagnosis and enables the analysis of multiple samples at the same time, and can do as many runs as possible.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony include: National Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Sickle Cell Foundation, Nigeria, Dr. Annette Akinsete; Programme Officer, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga; Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Professor Wale Oke; College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Sogo Sofola and Health Portfolio Manager, MTN Foundation, Ekong Udobang among others. 

 Operating from Nigeria's business capital of Lagos, the MTN Foundation was incorporated in July 2004 to offer a sustainable and focused channel through which MTN Nigeria would drive its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Foundation is funded by up to 1% PAT (Profit after Tax) from MTN Nigeria and deploys a unique brand of wide impact and project-driven corporate social investment programmes which have won several accolades.

It has also created a vibrant network of local and international partner organisations through which its various projects are executed.

Through its efforts, the MTN Foundation has made huge impact and has become a model for good corporate citizenship, endorsed by a wide variety of stakeholders, Government, Regulators, Tax authorities, and the beneficiaries of its numerous projects.

The MTN Foundation partners with both public and credible private organisations to execute sustainable projects in each of the chosen focus areas. MTNF receives and processes proposals monthly. The Foundation is committed to ensuring that the selection and approval of its projects are conducted in a manner that is transparent, systematic, efficient, and effective while promoting its mission. As such, approved guidelines are strictly adhered to, in the selection of projects and partner organizations.