World Sickle Cell Day: Group begs Edo Governor to help tackle challenges
By Titus Akhigbe
President of the Edo Sickle Cell Club, Dr. Charles Edigin, has appealed to the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to give them a listening ear as they have lots of things to tell him as regards challenges.
He stated this when he led members of the association on a courtesy call to the Secretariat of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) on Monday morning.
Edigin, who described members of the Edo Sickle Cell Club as warriors, asserted that they face series of challenges from their communities, state and even within the circle of those from whom they get treatment. He disclosed that the major reason for their visit is to sensitise the public on World Sickle Cell Day which comes up on Thursday, June 19th.
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He affirmed that the state government recently showed its support for the association through a donation by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa.
Edigin appealed to Governor Okpebholo to harken to their cry stating that they need to discuss some issues with him regarding their situation for which they have written and dropped several letters in his office but have gotten no response.
Comrade Festus Alenkhe, chairman of Edo NUJ in his response adviced couples to check their genotype before getting married to avoid future problems.
He promised members of the association that journalists in the state will partner with them to achieve a successful outing on the World Sickle Cell Day.
Speaking on the sideline of the courtesy visit, Ifeoluwa Seweje Clementina, the Operations Coordinator of Alpha Light Intiative, disclosed that the Non Govermental Organisation (NGO) is just awaiting the approval of the Blood Bank Centre to provide indigent patients with blood.
“In the month of April we had an initiative to help the Sickle Cell Centre and the first thing we want to do is to have a means where we can provide blood to be available for indigent patients who cannot afford it.
“We had the meeting before that but we were instructed to seek approval before we can be given the go ahead to liase with the blood bank centre at the Sickel Cell Centre so we can move forward. That’s the only thing that we need now, the approval to move forward,” she submitted.
