Specific Objectives

• To evaluate the knowledge and opinions that immigrants in Norway have about sickle cell as a hereditary disease, a common and severe disease and on how this knowledge may influence their social interaction and ability to cope..
• To assess how stigmatization of sickle cell patients is relation and influenced by different cultural norms/values, religious beliefs and lack of knowledge.
• To establish a working partnership/network with organizations and actors which are interested in addressing sickle cell related issues among immigrants in Norway. The aim is to exchange and to make use of each others ideas, skills and expetise.
• To approach leaders of different minority and Norwegian organisations and convince them to get involved/perticipate in the sickle cell work among immigrants..
• To work towards the elimination of social stigma and discrimination of sufferers and the care providers.
• To provide social, moral and emotional support to the patients and care providers in order to enable them to cope with the disease.
• Identify problems/needs by conducting surveys to get more facts about the situation regarding mental health among sickle cell patients and their families.
• Establish coping groups for children, adults and families.
• Development, production and dissemination of printed materials on issues related to sickle cell disease.
• Arrange seminars and conferences on difference themes about sickle cell disease
• Participate in national and international programs and projects related to research on the disease, training and development.
• Participate in development projects in Africa to offer support, training and assistance to organizations working with the disease at local, national and international level.