Edo Seeks Sustainable Action Against Health Challenges

Edo State government has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its partner organisations for sustaining the fight against sickle cell disorder. It called for stronger collaboration to tackle critical health challenges across the state and the region.

The state commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, made the call in Benin City during a one-day awareness campaign on sickle cell health promotion and sensitisation.

The campaign was organised by the NDDC, in partnership with Ebiere Women Foundation, Sickle Cell Awareness Initiative Ireland-Nigeria (SCAIIN) and Beyond Sickle Cell Foundation.

Oshiomhole, who praised the NDDC and its partners for the initiative, said the Edo State Government remains open to strategic collaborations that will improve access to healthcare and strengthen support systems for persons living with sickle cell disorder.

He said: “Beyond this, I want to see a kind of partnership that will give our sickle cell warriors the opportunity for stem cell transplants. I believe it is doable. We can fashion a way to subsidise it for our warriors. I will be in touch with the NDDC to see how the Edo State Government can come in to make all of this work.

“I know this is a stepping stone to greater opportunities and greater programmes ahead. I also commend our sickle cell warriors for their resilience and encourage them to continue to avail themselves of laudable events like this.”

In her remarks, the Edo State director of the NDDC, Mrs. Mercy Babawale, said the commission has remained committed to medical interventions across the region, with the sickle cell campaign being one of its priority programmes.

She noted that: “Before now, sickle cell was like a death sentence. People gave up easily on those with the condition. But things are changing, and medically, things are evolving.

“As a Commission, we don’t think it is fair, especially as an interventionist agency, to fold our hands and watch people die or give up hope. That is why the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the board led by our Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, decided that we must intervene.

“We are following global medical trends to ensure that people with sickle cell have longevity, quality of life and improved health outcomes.”

The president of the Sickle Cell Club in Edo State, Charles Edigin applauded the NDDC and its partners for giving patients renewed hope and confidence, while appealing for more investment in modern treatment options and appealed to more agencies to join the campaign.

“We need bone marrow transplant opportunities. We need oxygen concentrators. These interventions help reduce the severity of crises, and I can testify to how helpful they are.”

In their separate remarks, Esther Pepple Onolememen, Convener of SCAIIN, and Dr. Mercy Diete-Spiff, representative of Ebiere Women Foundation, commended the NDDC for its leadership role and pledged continued support for sickle cell advocacy, treatment and patient empowerment.

Several patients and parents of children with sickle cell lauded the commission for the life-changing outreach.