The wife of Abia state Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti has announced free health insurance policy, monthly cash grant for sickle cell ambassadors (patients) in the state.
Mrs Otti made the announcement during an event to mark the 2024 world sickle cell Anaemia program on the theme “Hope through progress; advancing sickle cell care globally held at Abia state children’s specialist hospital Umuahia. She added that the state government would engage those who do not have jobs to know what they would like to do, while on the other hand, Mrs Otti promised to discuss with the Governor for sicklers who are out of school.
The Abia first lady stressed that the state government would do their best to reduce the burden of sickle cell ambassadors.
Full address read by Mrs Otti,
“The birth of a child brings much joy to every married couple, the family and society, especially if the pregnancy was planned. No wonder children are referred to as” bundles of joy.” However, that joy can become sour when complications and sad tales such as the diagnosis of a preventable genetic disease is made soon after birth or during childhood.
Sickle cell disease is one such preventable genetic disorder that can cause untold pain and suffering to the child and heartache to the parents and the entire family. This underscores the importance of sickle cell awareness creation. We are gathered here today for this reason to create awareness among our people. I hereby enjoin you all to heed the clarion call and make informed health choices that help prevent the transmission of sickle cell disease and the misery associated with its complications.
A wise man once said, “If you are informed, you will not be deformed”. In a similar vein, I must emphasize to all of us and especially our youths, the importance of knowing your blood genotype. It is quite risky to get married without checking both your genotype and that of your spouse. This is because medical science has taught us that certain genotype combinations may lead to the birth of babies with sickle cell disease. This occurs if two incompatible persons get married. Moreover, we also learnt from medical science that when we are aware of our blood genotypes, the likelihood of having sickle cell progenies can be prevented if we make the right choice of partners before marriage. The right choice in this regard is to choose spouses whose genotypes are compatible with ours. Such a preventive attitude is the main message for all of us here today and represents the pillar of my advocacy and rallying call. We should take the message home and share it with our family, neighbors and friends. A right decision will prevent the suffering of a lifetime and promote the joy of parenthood making children truly as the Bible says …a gift from God and blessing without added sorrow.
I must emphasize that if you are here today and you do not know your genotype, take advantage of this golden opportunity provided by the Ministry of Health and get your genotype tested.
The theme for the 2024 world sickle cell disease celebration day that held in September, was Hope through progress: advancing sickle cell care globally. This theme represents a call to join the global community in embracing current advances in the care of people with sickle cell disease, ensuring improved quality of life and crises free productive longevity, while prioritizing low hanging preventive actions based on proven medical evidence.
Our good people of Abia, my office will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of health to develop and execute practical strategies that advance sickle cell awareness, prevention and care in Abia State.
To all sickle cell warriors, you are not alone. We are here to share in your triumphs against sickle cell disease. I need you to know that you are very special people. Let me seize this opportunity to appreciate the price that parents, other care –givers, teachers, doctors, nurses, counselors and religious leaders make in the lives of these special people, in our homes and society. Congratulate your selves because, against all odds, you have triumphed.
May the good Lord bless and keep us, in Jesus name”.
Contributing, the state commissioner for health, Dr Enoch Uche said sickle cell disease is one the leading causes of deaths globally, while ten percent of Nigerians are living with the disease.
He described the governor’s wife as the champion against the sickle cell anaemia.
The state focal person, non-communicable diseases, Uko Okorocha, the state executive secretary primary healthcare development agency, Dr Kalu Ulu Kalu, CMD of Abia state University teaching hospital, professor Ijeoma, permanent secretary, Abia state ministry of health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu among others in their goodwill messages charged stakeholders, sickle cell ambassadors and parents to take message against sickle cell anaemia home. They also encouraged that treatment, proper diet should be taken seriously and states the need to avoid acts that are capable of triggering crisis.
One of the survivors of sickle cell in Nigeria, ambassador Victoria Akojiobi of sicklers survivors forum urged members to have a positive mind set. Ambassador Victoria noted that most of them have challenges ranging from leg ulcer, lack of funds to buy their drugs, no subsidized hospital bills etc.
She therefore appealed to government and other well meaning Nigerians to always come to their rescue.
According to her, the project of operation know your tynotype and the Radio program she is handling was designed to encourage their members to keep hope alive. She urged the public not to discriminate against them and thanked the wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti for caring for them.
The event among others featured free tynotype screening.
