As part of efforts to raise awareness on the prevalence of Sickle Cell Disorder, SCD, in the country, Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation in collaboration with Healthworth Foundation, weekend organised a one- day public enlightenment and psychological therapy on the complications of SCD. The programme also examined steps towards choosing appropriate drugs to prevent hospital admission.

In his welcome address, Chairman, Board of Trustee, Dabma Foundation, Pastor Emmanuel Ibekwe, who highlighted the major significance of the Day, said the aim was to enlighten individuals on the facts about the complications of the disorder as well as put the knowledge into action.

He said the day was an opportunity for parents and families to share experiences with one another.

He said “ In as much as enlightenment is superior to enforcement, we are condemned to enhance an all-year round public enlightenment programme.”

He regretted that a large percentage of Nigerians are still ignorant of the facts about the disorder .Acording to him, a combination of stigma, taboo and silence on the part of sufferers also fuels the endemic genetic problem.

“Thank God for parents who are standing by their children in pain and penury. Our children are gifts, and a brilliant generation. The worst possible thing we can do ourselves is to fail to move on, standing at the crossroad of sickle cell disorder, deliberating endlessly over problems, unable to reach a decision over which way to go.”

Ibekwe said the mission of the Foundation “is to make available free and routine drugs that do not have side effects, within the limits of what we can afford. On this note, we are selling the literature” Cruel wounds of sickle cell anaemia, a family experience and sickle cell anaemia early warning signals to raise money to procure the drugs”

Speaking, Mr. Paschal Uba, Vice- President of Healthworth Foundation, stressed the need to show support, love and care to those living with sickle cell anaemia.

Uba, who noted the importance of managing stress in people living with SCD noted that “We had to partner with DABMA Foundation to organise an event to teach them how to manage crisis associated with this “We attempt to create an opportunity for people within the communities to unite in the fight against SCD.”