Sickle cell patients hold workshop in Edo

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A one Day sensitization workshop on how to ease the burden of sickle cell disorder has been held in Benin City, Edo State Capital.
The Director of Clinical Services, Edo State Sickle Cell Club, Dr. Osamudiamen Iyawe, decried low awareness of hereditary nature of the disorder, especially among rural dwellers where 60 percent of Nigeria’s population live.
He listed poor access to diagnostic, treatment facilities and the problem of inadequate as well as inappropriate evaluation by some healthcare providers as the major threat against the survival of sickle Cell patients.
In his lecture titled, “The burden of persons affected by sickle Cell disorders in Nigeria: The way forward”, Iyawe called for sustainable enlightenment and advocacy by the government and Non-Governmental organisations (NGO’s) and establishment of special Clinics/sickle Cell Centre across the Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
The Convener and President, Edicharson Foundation for sickle Cell, recalled his experience since he began to live with sickle Cell disorder in the lady 48 years.
He tasked sickle Cell patients on self-observatory and attend regular medical checkup as well as shun harmful health practices to mitigate the impact of the disorder and live a fulfilled live.
A Consultant Haemathologist with Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, Dr. Augustina Isioma Ikusemoro delivered a paper on “Sickle Cell patients and blood transfusion”.
Members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), medical students from the State School of Health Technology and medical students of University of (UBTH), as welll as marriage Counsellors attended the workshop.