NMA Pours Econium On APLSCD Over Her Sickle Cell Sensitisation Campaigns

The Nigerian Medical Association has showered amazing econium on the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, urging them to continue in their good work of senzitizing the society on the challenges and consequences of carrier Marriage.

The Medical Association made this commendation during the monthly meeting of the Awka chapter of the Association at the state secretariat of the Association in Chukwuemeka Odimegwu University Teaching Hospital Awka on Friday 26 February.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the Awka chapter, Dr. Chukwudi Njelita welcomed the members and appreciated their presence to the day's meeting. He further stressed on the need to curb the addiction to control drugs suffered by most Sickle Cell Victims, stating that it has become paramount to wade into the matter after the meeting of health Stakeholders with the NDLEA Anambra Command days earlier.

He said that it was the need for intervention that prompted the invitation of Aisha Edwards, the coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder to the meeting to give a first hand account of the Association's numerous Sensitisation activities and to see how the NMA could be of help.

Aisha, when giving the opportunity to speak to the doctors present, Thanked the Doctors and reminding then that from birth her group look up to them as their second god who is their last hope and confidant, she also lamented on the pain faced by her members who resort to excessive use of control drugs due to the stigmatization and neglect meted out on them by the society.

She stressed on the need for the Doctors, relevant health stakeholders, government and churches to pitch tent with her association in the sensitisation of the public on sickle cell, according to her if all relevant bodies should come together to tackle this issue by providing help in their own specialised way, the issue would be a history.

Reacting to the plea, Dr. Nwachukwu who earlier said the opening prayer of the meeting commended Aisha and her association for their dogged fight through sensitisation campaigns. He further suggested Haemotologists and various institutions that could be of help to the association in their sensitisation campaign.

The reactions of the Doctors who were so elated at the revelation of an association as that proved that they were not only happy but eager to be of assistance to the association, as most of them immediately assured APLSCD that they would recommend their sickle cell patients to identify and register with the association, which serves as an umbrella to them.

Aisha further x-rayed the benefits of being a member of the association, which included School fees bursary for undergraduates, job allocations, and health care. She urged all sickle cell victims who are yet to identify with the association to do so, as the benefits abound, rather than isolate themselves and die in self pity. She lamented that Sickle cell victims are impulsive because of the treatment they have received from the society.

She also prayed on Government and Philanthropic individuals to assist the organization in her sensitisation campaigns, according to her, having an association bus have become paramount, as it would aid their mobility during the campaigns which cut across all Local Government Areas in the State.

However, it was glaringly evident that the Doctors were unaware of the Sickle Cell Law which was enacted 14years ago by the State Assembly. Thus, the question arises as to why a vital health law as sickle Cell Law should be enacted without the knowledge of the Medical Doctors in the State, is the law being implemented, if yes, how and if no, why?

Present at the meeting was Dr. Ikeazor the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Dr. IZunna Dim, the director of Izunna hospital Ifite Awka and a host of other prominent Doctors in the State.