SAMI Trains Journalists On Blood Genetics And Sickle Cell Disease Reporting

SAMI Trains Journalists On Blood Genetics And Sickle Cell Disease Reporting

In a determined bid to prevent the widespread health misinformation, especially on blood genetics and sickle cell disorder, the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), recently held a specialized crash course designed to equip journalists and other media professionals with the scientific knowledge needed to report health and genetics accurately and ethically.

The crash course entitled “Inform Right, Inform Well,” the two-hour virtual training was designed basically for journalists, broadcasters, editors, content creators and other media practitioners across the country. The event which is part of SAMI’s activities to mark the World Radio Day 2026, reinforced the vital role of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in shaping public health awareness.

According to the foremost health nonprofit, SAMI, the goal of the crash course is to close long-standing gaps in media reporting on blood genetics, especially blood groups, haemoglobin genotypes, and sickle cell disease which often remain misunderstood or oversimplified in public communication.

The training which was declared open by the organization’s Communication Officer, Yomi Oyelami, who gave an overview of the day’s purpose and expectations, was divided into three structured modules, each delivered by subject-matter experts including Tobi Olaitan, Peter Osikoya, and Maureen Nwachi.

Tobi Olaitan who handled Module one of the training, talked about the fundamentals of genetics, the composition of blood, the ABO and Rhesus blood group systems, and haemoglobin genotypes. In this part of the course, he explained the importance of knowing the blood groups and genotypes in clinical practice, including Rhesus incompatibility, marriage compatibility awareness, the need for genetic testing, and the implication of inaccurate reporting. 

Peter Osikoya defined sickle cell disorder as a genetic condition, its burden in Nigeria, innovations in care, and the ethical responsibilities of journalists.  The training also featured a live questions and answers section  and applied simulation of genetic crossing where the trainers jointly addressed participants’ questions.

The Administrative lead of the organization, Bolaji Ibrahim closed the session with insights into SAMI’s work and a call for journalists to apply their new knowledge in giving accurate and adequate reports about the disease to correct negative public narratives about the Sickle Cell disorder.

Maureen Nwachi informed the trainees that the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) is a health nonprofit that was founded in 2018 with the vision ‘to have a society where sickle cell disorder is reduced and people with sickle cell and their families are able to live healthy, positive and productive lives.’

Speaking further, Nwachi added that SAMI was Founded by a confectioner-turned-nonprofit leader, Ms. Toyin Adesola, and that over the years, SAMI has provided support to thousands of individuals, organizations, and communities through its healthcare management, education, advocacy, and awareness.

According to Ms. Toyin Adesola, Nigeria bears the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally, with over 4 million persons living with the condition and an estimated 150,000 babies born with the disease annually. She added that many of these individuals require regular medical care, medications, and emergency interventions.

Adesola emphasized that lack of access to comprehensive healthcare has resulted in difficult complications, financial hardship, family breakdown, avoidable deaths, among other societal concerns.

Commenting during the training, SAMI’s Communication Officer, Yomi Oyelami, said that the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) runs its lifesaver projects on two major fronts. These are Xtracare program which captures all its management and support projects like Xtracare free medical clinic, Adopt a warrior health insurance, SAMI socioeconomic empowerment project, etc.

He stated that SAMI’s Touch A Cell program captures all its advocacy, education and awareness projects such as Touch A Cell radio show, Better You Health Hub which targets organized communities like schools, campuses, and professional forums, and the Touch A Cell community awareness outreaches.

Oyelami who earnestly called on Nigerians to support the organization, asked Nigerians to kindly check out this Website – www.sicklecelladvocacy.org – for details on how they can assist SAMI.