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As part of promoting health and well-being within the university community, the Écho Santé UNIGOM program, under the leadership of the National Program for the Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease in North Kivu, organized an awareness session on sickle cell disease on February 9, 2026, at the Green Lake Campus of the University of Goma.

Organized in the form of a focus group, this activity provided a framework for interactive exchanges allowing students to freely share their perceptions and experiences related to this disease. Health experts accompanied these discussions by providing scientific insights into sickle cell disease, its causes, manifestations, as well as prevention and management measures.

An initiative to strengthen students' knowledge

The main objective of this activity was to equip, strengthen, and improve the knowledge of the university and extra-university population about sickle cell disease, with a view to contributing to its prevention. More specifically, it aimed to:

-Raise students' awareness of the essential concepts of sickle cell disease prevention;

-Make participants aware of the scientific reality of this genetic disease and deconstruct erroneous beliefs that associate it with non-medical causes;

-Encourage young people to express interest in knowing their electrophoretic status through hemoglobin electrophoresis to minimize transmission risks.

A major public health issue

Sickle cell disease is a chronic genetic disease that constitutes a real public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo is among the most affected countries in the world and ranks second in Africa after Nigeria. In the North Kivu province, despite the high frequency of cases, knowledge of this pathology remains limited outside the medical field.

Many young people are unaware of their electrophoretic status, which increases the risk of transmitting the disease to future generations. The University of Goma, which hosts thousands of students from different faculties, thus constitutes a strategic framework for promoting behavioral change and community awareness.

Breaking myths and promoting prevention

With the support of the AGIR RDC organization, young volunteers from the Écho Santé UNIGOM program led this awareness campaign by emphasizing the transmission, complications, and prevention methods of sickle cell disease. The key message stressed the importance of premarital and neonatal screening, regular medical consultations, and adopting responsible behaviors to reduce disease transmission and improve the management of affected individuals.

The exchanges also helped combat certain misconceptions surrounding sickle cell disease. Observations made during the session revealed that a large proportion of students were unaware of the genetic nature of this disease. Some still associated it with non-scientific beliefs, while others had incomplete information.

“This session allowed us to understand that sickle cell disease, often referred to as SS anemia in our community, is a genetic disease related to the presence of hemoglobin S. We learned its signs, complications, and the importance of hemoglobin electrophoresis before marriage to know our genetic status and better prepare for the future. This activity also informed us about existing care structures. I encourage young people to get tested and families concerned to follow medical advice to better manage the disease,” testified Kahambu Laetitia, a third-year law student.

In the same vein, the activity allowed participants to correct certain erroneous perceptions and acquire reliable knowledge about the disease.

“Before this awareness campaign, I did not have precise information about sickle cell disease. Thanks to the Écho Santé team, I understood that it is a real disease and not a belief. We are all called to engage in its prevention, particularly by undergoing hemoglobin electrophoresis,” stated Salomon KIS, a second-year law student.

At the end of the session, several participants expressed their commitment to relay this information within their circles, thus contributing to community awareness.

UNIGOM committed to the health of its community

Through this initiative, the University of Goma reinforces its commitment to promoting health and raising awareness among young people about major public health issues. By supporting prevention and health education actions, UNIGOM actively participates in the formation of an informed, responsible, and engaged youth for the well-being of society.