…As Otti’s wife promises monthly cash grants to Abia patients
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
World Health Organisation-sponsored survey, has revealed that Nigeria has the highest burden of sickle cell globally, accounting for about 50-70% of all sickle cell births all over the world.
Director of Public Health, Abia State Ministry of Health, Dr Princess Agomoh, who disclosed this while delivering talks during the 2024 Sickle Cell Day celebration in Umuahia, decried the high incidence of the preventable genetic disorder in the country.
According to the study, about 150,000 babies are born with sickle cell anemia every year in Nigeria.
Dr Agomoh advised intending couples to go for genotype test before getting married to avoid uninformed marital decision.
Advocating prevention as the best solution, she recommended balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine medical care for persons living with sickle cell.
She said sickle cell disorder could cause severe pains in the bone, chest or joints, and could block small blood vessels in the lungs.
She also said it could lead to fatigue, chronic anemia (shortage of blood), delayed growth, adding that over time, it could cause damage of vital organs like the heart, kidney and liver.
Early detection and and management “are essential to prevent irreversible damage.”
Meanwhile, Abia First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has announced health care insurance and monthly cash grants to persons living with sickle cell anemia in the state to alleviate their predicaments.
Mrs Otti equally promised to help provide support for skills acquisition for persons living with sickle cell willing to acquire skills.
The Governor’s wife promised to appeal to her husband for action towards providing education assistance to persons living with sickle cell in the state.
Mrs Otti expressed concern that innocent children suffer from preventable genetic disorder due to failure of intending couples to check the compatibility of their genotype before getting married.
The First Lady urged spouses to make informed health choices that could help prevent sickle cell disease and the misery associated with its complications.
“I must emphasise 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.
“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, and represents the pillar of my advocacy and rallying call.
“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 sorrows.”
She promised continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health to develop and execute practical strategies that would advance sickle cell awareness, prevention and care in Abia State.
She also promised continued care for persons living with sickle cell in the 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.”
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, regretted that Nigeria alone, accounts for 10% of the 50 million persons living with sickle cell in Africa.
The Commissioner who disclosed that seven out of his 11 siblings died of sickle cell anemia, vowed to sustain aggressive
sensitisation about sickle cell.
He noted that sickle cell patients are vulnerable and have low immunity with life expectancy between 20 and 30 years.
Earlier in a remark, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, urged intending couples to go for genotype test and ensure compatibility before getting married.
The Permanent Secretary who decried the ordeals of persons living with sickle cell, said intending couples should not be blinded by love so as to dabble into marriage without subjecting themselves for genotype test.
Speaking on behalf of the patients, Victoria Akuchiobi, regretted that some persons living with sickle cell in the South-East had committed suicide due to their excruciating ordeals.
She appealed for a reduction in the cost of blood transfusion for persons living with sickle cell.
She also said that she had mounted on aggressive sensitisation in schools and radio stations to create awareness on the need for couples to know their genotype to enable them make informed choice during marriage.
Miss Akuchiobi thanked the Governor’s wife for her numerous supports to persons living with sickle cell anemia in the state.
