Making Lupus Visible in Nigeria

The entire month of May is globally recognized as Lupus awareness month to create awareness and sensitization on Lupus disease, symptoms, treatment and how to care for and access help and assistance for the affected persons.

Since 2004, Lupus organizations around the globe have conducted activities on May 10 to raise awareness and educate the public about the symptoms and health effects of Lupus.

Arise Monalisa Foundation is at the forefront of campaign and mobilization about Lupus in Nigeria and have carried out several activities, road shows, sensitization visits, symposium, press conferences and many more. This month of May, we are continuing with our drive of making Lupus visible with various activities.

Together we can make Lupus a National Health priority and to ensure that people living with Lupus in Nigeria are diagnosed and treated effectively.

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory, multi-system disorder of the immune system. In lupus, the body develops antibodies that react against the person’s own normal tissue. Lupus is thus an autoimmune disease.

 

Lupus Interview Part I

…. an interview with Monalisa Chinda 

These antibodies are markers for lupus, and are one indicator of many immune system abnormalities that lead to clinical manifestations. The course is unpredictable and individualized; no two patients are alike. Lupus is not contagious, infectious, or malignant. 

What are the symptoms of lupus? 

Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. Lupus varies greatly in severity, from mild cases requiring minimal intervention to those in which significant and potentially fatal damage occurs to vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain. For some patients, the disease can be characterized by “flares” of activity interspersed with periods of improvement or remission. A flare, or exacerbation, is increased activity of the disease process with an increase in physical manifestations and/or abnormal laboratory test values. Periods of improvement may last weeks, months, or even years.

Lupus has NO CURE, but can be managed with proper diagnosis and medication

Lupus Interview Part II

A Survivor’s captivating story  and  the Medical Perspective of Lupus  by an expert.

Jacqueline Achu’s interview on how she survived Lupus for over 18years and the Medical perspective of Lupus by Dr. Joel Azinge, Consultant Physician, Consultant Clinical Virologist  &  Immunologist CMD Bethsaida Medical Consultants, Abuja

Lupus Interview Part III (Conclusion)

A Survivor’s captivating story  and  the Medical Perspective of Lupus  by an expert.

Jacqueline Achu’s interview on how she survived Lupus for over 18years and the Medical perspective of Lupus by Dr. Joel Azinge, Consultant Physician, Consultant Clinical Virologist  &  Immunologist CMD Bethsaida Medical Consultants, Abuja

Moments  captured during  Arise Monalisa Foundation, Press Conference on making Lupus visible in Nigeria at Abuja, in December, 2021

Lupus awareness campaign materials . 

Lupus sensitization and awareness campaign to government agencies and personalities.

Lupus Walk for Life campaign

Lupus Resources

for further reading and information, kindly follow this pages on our website

  1.   Press Conference on Lupus 16th December 2021 – Arise Monalisa Foundation
  2. Press Release – Arise Monalisa Foundation