BY CHIOMA  OBINNA

Worried about the gap in addressing problems associated with sickle  cell anaemia, the Federal Government, scientists and United Nation agencies have been challenged to fund  research activities on the disorder as part of the efforts to provide a comprehensive strategy against the disease.

To this end, DABMA Sickle Cell Foundation is organising a public inauguration/book presentation and N200 million fund  raising for sickle cell anaemia research in the country.

Nigeria ranks first among sickle cell endemic countries  in the world with an annual infant death of 100,000, representing eight  per cent of infant mortality in the country.

At a press conference in Lagos, the chairman, Board of Trustees  of the foundation, Pastor Emmanuel Ibekwe, who narrated his experiences as a father of two children with sickle cell disorder (SCD), posited that more research on the disorder would open up new possibilities in tackling the scourge.

Ibekwe  lamented that the demonization of the disease, which has prevented families from speaking up, has to change, saying the story must be told at the roof tops.

Narrating the pains  families of SCD patients go through, he maintained that it was imperative that the world should be made aware of the sufferings of SCD patients and families.

Speaking on the book presentation billed to hold Tuesday in Lagos, entitled, Cruel Wounds of Sickle Cell Anaemia, Ibekwe explained that the book was the idea of his late daughter, Chidimma Dickson, an undergraduate of economics of Bells University of Science and Technology, who died of  sickle cell anaemia,  to document  the experiences of sicklers to facilitate help from anywhere.

Speaking, Bishop Oscar Ossai, a member of the foundation, stated that there should be structures that would  get intending couples to go for genotype screening before marriage.

He called on the media to create more awareness on the disorder as it has become a serious problem.