In a bid to reduce incidence of sickle cell anemia in the country, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency, do all it can to step up interventions to tackle the sickle cell scourge.
Gowon while lamenting the inability of
his administration to do anything about the disease, stated that, had it
been known to him back then, the devastating effect of sickle cell
anemia, his government would have taken steps to combat the disease.
The former Head of State while speaking
recently to newsmen during the public presentation of two books written
by a Senior Pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, Asokoro, Babajide
Olowodola in Abuja, said, “I hope the government will take it more
seriously to assist in this particular case especially when you hear
that 75 per cent of cases of sickle cell disease in the world occur in
Nigeria. If I have known, I would have done something about this during
my time that there was that particular problem in Nigeria and I think
this is what this government should do. But, let there be contribution
from the general public in order to combat the disease.”
According to him, it was sad to know
that globally, 75 per cent of sickle cases in the world occur in
Nigeria, I therefore urge the federal government to step up sickle cell
interventions in the country. “I appeal for genotype education for
intending couples in the country in order to prevent the complications
associated with disease.”
Speaking in same vein, former Minister
of Health, Pro. Eyitayo Lambo, gave assurance that the disease would be
managed effectively by medical practitioners within the country.
“The government is paying attention to
sickle cell. With time and with what many foundations are doing, with
the work that is going on in research, looking at some of the drugs
manufactured and used by these people, very shortly it will be possible
to manage sickle cell.”
As a former minister of health, “I will endorse a simple test by intending couples to know their genotype because it is clear that if you have a certain genotype you should avoid getting married to somebody with certain genotype.
As a former minister of health, “I will endorse a simple test by intending couples to know their genotype because it is clear that if you have a certain genotype you should avoid getting married to somebody with certain genotype.
While lamenting the absence of first
class medical facilities with modern equipment to tackle complicated
disease such as sickle cell anemia in the country, the author,
Olowodola, called for deliberate medical interventions to revamp the
nation’s health sector.
by Kasim Sumaina
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