June 19th of every year has been earmarked by the United Nations for the celebration of people living with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell disorders are a group of illnesses which affect people’s red blood cells. It is a genetic condition, which means it is passed on from one’s parents and the person is born with it. It is not contagious. You cannot contract it from other people.

Delivering her message on the occasion of the World Sickle Cell Day 2020, the National President of Association of Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disease in Anambra State, Mrs. Aisha Edward Maduagwu noted that the group will remain ever grateful to the Anambra State Government for leading the fight/awareness on the disease by enacting a law prohibiting couples of AS or SS genotypes from marrying each other.

“No government in Nigeria or Africa has done what Anambra State Government did for ASPLSCD under the administration of Chief Willie Obiano.”

“Last year, the House of Assembly passed the bill and it was assented to by the Governor thereby stopping individuals of AS or SS genotypes from marrying each other and giving room for more enlightenment campaigns against the disease.”

“The Government, through the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala paid health insurance premium for fifty (50) members of our group for one year in ASHIA”.

Continuing, Mrs. Edwards said: “Our people are the most hit essentially during this period of the Corona-virus pandemic. This is because of some underlying health challenges we normally face before Covid-19. But the Anambra State Government through the wife of the Governor, Dr. Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano donated food items that were rich in proteins and vitamins as palliative for our people”.

In conclusion, Aisha used the occassion to mull the opening of an orphanage home where carriers are quartered and trained through school and further appealed to government and well-meaning individuals to continue supporting the group.

Also contributing, a founding member of the group, Ms Ifunanya Faithmichael Nwanadile urged people living with the disease to see themselves as “change agents” noting that sickle cell anaemia was not a natural problem but man-made and as such can be eliminated through proper sensitization. She thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano for assenting to the APLSCD bill thus turning it into law.

Speaking on this year’s celebration, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala assured the people living with the disease of the state government’s support and urged them to continue with their enlightenment campaigns aimed at sensitizing the people about the dangers of sicklers marrying each other.

Dr. Okpala used the opportunity to appeal to them to always observe all the Corona-virus safety protocol, stressing that as a vulnerable group, Covid-19 pandemic is a big enemy to it.

Chidiebele Obika