The National Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder has called for a probe into millions of Naira donated to the association through different organizations because it is doubtful if such monies were not diverted.
The call was made in Awka by the national coordinator of the association, Aisha Edwards after a ‘Walk to Life in honour of Sickle Cell disorder patients which began from the premises of Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (ABS) premises through the major streets of Awka.
Edward also said the association is at a loss as to what use was put “multiple millions of the Federal Government and other individuals and corporate bodies donated on World Sickle Cell Day, to Sickle Cell Day Foundation”.
She lamented that rather than promote the course of people living with Sickle Cell disorder, people are busy feasting on their plight and vowed that from now on, the victims themselves will fight for their course.
According to her, members of her group have been exploited by healthy people who do not suffer from Sickle cell and that must stop.
She praised sponsors of the walk, particularly ABS and its Managing Director, Mr Uche Nworah, Anambra state Government, Chairman of Fresh Life Water, Mr Godwin Ezeemo Federal Road Safety Commission, Red Cross, chairman of House Committee on Health in the state House of Assembly, Mr Obinna Emenaka among others.
She warned people living with the disorder not to be deceived by conmen who claim cure of the disorder through their prayers. also warned young people to stop blind love but to check their genotype status before getting married.
In his speech, Anambra state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike said Sickle Cell is easy to control and cure if only people can undertake simple laboratory test to ascertain their genotype status.
He said, the walk was one of a series meant to challenge Sickle Cell disease besides being what will make people healthy and to make sure that Anambra is free from Sickle Cell disease.
The Managing director of ABS, Nworah, said the walk is an advocacy to inform the people of Anambra state about the disorder more so, when one of the roles of the media is to inform, entertain and educate.
Mr Godwin Ezeemo said that the company sponsored the walk because of its strong belief in need to create massive awareness of the preventable disorder and called on parents to always guide their children and ward properly before it is late
Ezeemo described the walk as positive action which will now match the publicity that has accompanied the awareness creation of the disorder. and urged the people living with the disorder not to feel less to the living without the disorder as in every disability there is ability
The chairman of the committee on Health, Mr Obinna Emenaka (Anambra West APGA) who is a pharmacist by profession also blamed the widespread of Sickle Cell disorder to lack of information and lamented that at this day and age, some people are yet to know their genotype and advised that one should check their genotype before falling marriage
