Sainabou Laye Ndure, Founder of HuGAA, was recently featured on Morning Star (Star TV) to discuss various key topics in genetic education such as consanguinity. Consanguinity refers to unions between individuals with shared ancestry. In many communities across The Gambia and beyond, such unions are common and culturally accepted. However, they also carry an increased risk of inherited conditions such as sickle cell disease and other genetic disorders.

Through HuGAA, we aim to bring conversations like these into public discourse, not to criticize cultural practices, but to offer science-informed education that supports informed decision-making, community health, and genetic literacy. She also discussed genetic testing, advocacy, and testing for kidney disease and cancer genes.

Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/H1m4alIOuJE

In a compelling appearance on Paradise TV’s Café Aljana, Sainabou Laye Ndure, the Founder and Chairperson of the Human Genetics Awareness Association (HuGAA), shed light on the urgent need to raise awareness around genetic conditions in The Gambia.

Speaking as both a trained geneticist and a passionate public health advocate, She addressed the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by genetic diseases, with a particular focus on sickle cell anemia, one of the most common inherited disorders in West Africa.

“The issue is not just the disease itself,” she shared during the interview, “but the lack of understanding that surrounds it, which leads to stigma, isolation, and silence.”

She further explained that genetic education must begin at the grassroots level: in homes, schools, universities, and healthcare settings. She emphasized HuGAA’s mission to develop programs, workshops, and collaborations that bring this knowledge to the forefront of public conversation.

Through the platform of Paradise TV, this interview served as an opportunity to invite educators, healthcare workers, university faculty, and community leaders into HuGAA’s growing network of allies.

The interview is now available on YouTube and embedded above. Viewers are encouraged to watch, share, and get involved.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/lKbxdkeiJf0
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