PRESS RELEASE: SICKLE CELL PATIENTS ASSOCIATION MOURNS WITH CHIMAROKE

Aisha

The attention of the Association of People Living With Sickle Cell Disorder has been drawn to the news of the unfortunate demise of Mrs Nnenna Nnamani, the wife of the former governor of Enugu state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. We were (and still are) shocked on the news of the demise of Nnenna at such a young age (47 yrs) and were devastated the more when we heard that the lady was a sickle cell patient. We sympathise with the ex -governor and mourn along with him given that the deceased was one of us. On the same vein, we pray that this unfortunate occurrence serves as an eye opener to the society. If highly placed people are not exonerated from the scourge of sickle cell, then there is a dire need for the nation to shake off their lethargic attitude towards Sickle Cell Disorder and sickle cell patients and start doing the needful. Fellow Nigerians, we need to stamp our feet and refuse the continued birth of sickle cell babies by selfish couples. We need to start supporting sickle cell patients in the lifelong pains and sorrows which they have been subjected to without their consent. We the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder wonder why the ex-governor could not set up at least a foundation for sickle cell patient given how close he was with one. We wonder even more why he could allow the condition of sickle cell patients to deteriorate to the level it is in Enugu State, despite his medical orientation. We use this opportunity to implore those in government in Enugu state particularly and Nigeria in general to arise and start doing something for us. Sickle cell laws need to be passed and enforced. Sickle cell maintenance clinics offering free or subsidized professional care to Sickle cell patients need to be made ubiquitous in the country. Sickle cell patients need to be given priority and special consideration in job placement and skill acquisition programmes.


If someone who is so highly placed like Late Mrs Nnenna Nnamani could still die so early, where lies our fate, those of us at the grassroot?
I was born and bred in Enugu start and was privy to the landmark achievements of Ex governor Chimaroke Nnamani, like the Judiciary complex and Parklane Hospital and I appreciate his person personally. Once again, on behalf of APLSCD, I commiserate with him and his family and pledge that the Association will always be there for the children in any capacity.

Rest in peace Late Mrs Nnenna Nnamani. Rest in peace other unknown sickle cell patients who have passed on in Nigeria this month. God bless us all.
NB: MAY WE ALSO USE THIS MEDIUM TO INVITE ONE AND ALL TO THE WALK IN HONOUR OF SICKLE CELL PATIENTS HOLDING AT ABS, AWKA COMPLEX ON SEPT.12. AVAIL THIS OPPORTUNITY TO START MAKING THAT DIFFERENCE FOR THE CAUSE OF SICKLE CELL. THANKS

BY AISHA MAUREEN EDWARD (COORDINATOR - ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISORDER (APLSCD)