Over 1,000 sickle cell ‘warriors’ have been registered into the Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme to reduce the disease financial burden on them and improving their total wellbeing as well as their health status.
Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation, O.A. Initiative, Dr Ayomide Olanipekun disclosed this said the people were registered in 2023 to benefit from the free health services provided by the state government when the initiative commenced, in collaboration with her organisation.
Olanipekun stated this during a public awareness event held in commemoration of the 2025 World Sickle Cell and Blood Donor Day at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.
While appreciating the state government’s unprecedented support received since 2023, Olanipekun noted that the testimonies of the sickle cell ‘warriors’ across the state, particularly about their experience at the primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities have been that of progress.
She expressed optimism that by 2026, all sickle cell warriors in the state would have enrolled into the free health scheme to enjoy unfettered health benefits being offered by the state government through awareness campaign.
Dr Olanipekun stressed that the introduction of the Ekiti State Sickle Cell Policy framework document will help to address Sickle Cell Disease and also improve the quality of life for individuals living with the SCD as a result of increased understanding of the disease.
“At the Centre of every treatment of our warriors is the constant need for blood transfusion. O. A. Initiative has successfully facilitated at least four successful blood donation drives with over 200 pints of blood as a token of intervention for warriors who are in critical crisis.
“We are proud to announce that EKSUTH Blood bank has deemed it fit to give every sickle cell warrior one pint of blood free whenever the need arises, this is due to our good relationship with them,” she said.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation an award of recognition to Ekiti state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for his dedication and commitment to addressing sickle cell disorder in the state.
Receiving the award on behalf of Governor Oyebanji, his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode commended the organisers for their foresight and initiative of bringing succour to those facing the challenges of sickle cell in the state.
Oyebode reiterated the commitment of Governor Oyebanji’s administration to the realisation of his mantra of shared prosperity.
He also restated government efforts aimed at repositioning the health sector and drive inclusion, assuring that government will continue to deliver on policies that will enliven the hearts of all Ekiti residents in the drive to give them sense of belonging.
The need for legislations that would help incorporate Genotype into the National Identity Card and other national documents was also stressed by a panel at the event.
Participants also called for more awareness in places of worship and schools, while also making a case for well-equipped referral Centre for sickle cell warriors.
In his keynote address, a professor of Peadiatrics and Child Health, Prof. Oladele Olatunya commended Governor Oyebanji for his positive policy direction in the care of people living with sickle cell by capturing them in the government sponsored health insurance scheme that offered them free medicare at all levels of health facilities in the state.
Prof. Olatunya affirmed that the policy had helped in reducing the financial burdens encountered by affected families, and provided them with a new lease of life.
