Dame Okowa Urges Love For Persons Living With Sickle Cell Disorder

Wife of the Delta State governor, Dame Edith Okowa, has charged Nigerians particularly Deltans to show love to those living with Sickle Cell Anaemia and never to Stigmatize them.

Dame Okowa, the founder, O5 Initiative, a pet project she has used to touched lives, pointed out that the disorder is not a death sentence.

She gave the admonition on Saturday, June 19, 2021, during the 2021 Sickle Cell Anaemia Celebration Day at the Asaba Specialist Hospital.

Okowa, who nicknamed those living with the disorder as “Warriors”, was elated when she saw them looking good and healthy just as she noted that they are human beings as every other person and should be cared for.

The wife of the governor, charged all to engage in sensitizing the public on the need to know their genotype.

“My heart desire is to see a community, state and country that has no Sickle Cell Anaemia. We have a project that in the next 10 years, there will be no case of sickle cell.

“Ignorance is no longer as excuse, the team has a mission to care for sickle patients and we have 15 existing sickle cell clinics. The Specialist Hospital is a referral centre”, just as she commended donors for their partnerships.

Speaking further, she said: “I encourage you all to show love to one another especially those with sickle cell disorder. What you can do for those young boys and girls, do it”, she added.

Staff of the State Contributory Health Commission, were on ground to register them into the scheme for medical attention.

Mr. Martins Abebe representing Rolex Emameyam Foundation presented a cheque of N150, 000 to the wife of the state governor in support of the Sickle cell patients.

Also, the Director-General of the Initiative, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, received some drugs donation from Pharm. (Dr.) Evangeline Enaike, Chairman, Association of Lady’s Pharmacist, Delta State chapter.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, ministry of health, Ejiro Oghenegha, called for the need to raise awareness of the disorder while Dr. Florin Ovaje spoke on the need for the warriors to stay healthy by eating balance diet, drinking between 2-4 litres of water daily.

“Avoid extreme temperature, excessive exercise” while Okolie Gift Chukwudumebi and Imobisa Blessing, shared their life experiences.