Oiwona Launches Two Books

HEALTH

SICKLE CELL IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE – ENGR. AGBOGIDI

By  Chidinma Olu

Speaking as the Chairman of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria of Lagos Chapter Engr. Godwin Agbogidi said that Sickle Cell is not a death sentence to the carriers adding that they have been many Sickle Cell carriers who lived up 93 years and that they had lots of them who are Medical doctors, nurses, accountants, engineers, surveyors, lawyers et al. He said that a sickle cell carrier should always remove the ugly myth that they die very early in life, he disagreed with that ugly myth that Sickle cell is not a death sentence. He concurred that Sickle cell carrier(s) should always visit the hospital as at when due, take their tablets regularly as prescribed by the Medical doctors treating them. He said that parents should love all their children equally adding that there must not be preferential treatment amongst their children because some of them are Sickle cell carrier(s). He frankly said that when parents displayed undiluted and undivided love amongst their children that those with sickle cell anemia would function optimally with everyday life activities.

Engr. Agbogidi is the current editor-in-chief of Sickle Cell Foundation bulletin in the last 10years and he represented Mr. Samson Disu. Speaking as the Father of the day at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria Christmas party for carriers and parents Wale Fanu told the audience that Sickle Cell is not a death sentence adding that he was born as a sickle cell carrier some six decades ago. He narrated a touching story to the audience that a particular day when he had crises and a Medical doctor told his father he – Wale would die at the age of 21 years old, but gladdeningly he said when he approached 21 years old that his father told him not to go back to Ibadan where he was going to school adding that his father said he would preferred him to die here Lagos rather than bringing back his corpse to him here Lagos.

Speaking again, he said that he assured his father that he would not kick the bucket and happily he told audience that he is an achiever in all ramifications, that he is a husband, father, grandfather and in another 18 months he shall proudly, pleasantly and prayerfully celebrate his 70^th birthday gig and he has extended invite to all and sundry to join him, his family and the entire Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria to raise their voices in thanksgiving to God Abba Father for defeating the ugly myth the Medical doctors sold to his parents when he was an infant.

 Speaking to the audience president Sickle Cell Club Lagos Mrs. Ayo Ataigbo said that over 150,000 children are born every year in Nigeria with symptomatic sickle cell anaemia adding that one in every four Nigerian is a carrier of the sickle cell gene is well documented. She said that many of these children still die in infancy due to lack of information, appropriate care and poor welfare infrastructure in the land.  Speaking again she said that sickle cell disorder is not confined to Africa, that about 90% of affected children are still born on the continent adding that with the large burden of the disorder in Africa many of them had remained puzzled by the apathy African countries had shown in addressing this major public health challenges. She said that Sickle Cell Club has through her activities continues to increase public awareness and knowledge of sick cell disorder in Nigeria adding that they participated with SCFN and other stakeholders to organize enlightenment programmes during the World Sickle Cell Day in 2018.

Speaking further she said that they had continue to show and advocate that affected persons can live a normal healthy and pain free lives if they – the carriers are well managed and thereby heavily dispelled the various myths, rumours, misinformation and death treats surrounding the condition adding that the welfare of the members remained paramount to their activities as well as they are actively involved in the Welfare Scheme of the Sickle Cell Foundation where many of their members are beneficiaries. She said again on account of the size and population, they now have 12 area clubs in Lagos State and they are located in Eko, Island, Surulere, Apapa, Yaba, Festac Town, Isolo, and others are Ikorodu, Ojo, Egbeda, Ifako Ijaiye and Badagry adding that efforts to set up more area clubs in Lagos in line with their objective of reaching affected persons at the grassroots are ongoing.

Speaking again to the audience she said that Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria had acquired Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) although the treatment is costly, but, the SCFN had through her collaboration with the Mediterranean Institute for Haematology in Rome, Italy has offered free BMT to 50 children adding that the BMT in LUTH is ready and full transplantation would commence soon.

Speaking with Journalists the National Director of Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria Dr. Annette Akinsete said that the Foundation holds Christmas gig for the children and their parents every year as it is a platform for the carriers of sickle cell anaemia to know that they are uncommonly loved by all and sundry. Speaking further she said that sickle cell anaemia is not a death sentence as many people believed to be because of the ugly myths surrounding the condition. She said many of the persons born with sickle cell disorder have lived a meaningful and successful live where some of them are medical doctors, lawyers, school teachers etc and she said that the foundation has a 93years old great great grand mother who normally attends all the end of the year gig the Foundation celebrates, although she said for this Christmas party that great great grand mom did not come.

Speaking again with the Journalists she said the Foundation had entered into collaboration with an Italian Institute for Bone Marrow Transplant treatment adding that with BMT treatment that the Sickle cell disorder would be hugely taken off from the carriers and parents alike. The children and their parents were entertained with various stage effects and as well as with Father Christmas appearances. There were also various cultural dance display show cased to the audience.