A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has
expressed regret that his government could not take steps to combat the menace
of sickle cell disease because its enormity was unknown at that time.
He also called for genotype education for intending couples
in the country, in order to prevent the complications associated with the
disease.
While expressing concern over a global statistic, which
submits that 75 per cent of sickle cell
cases in the world occur in Nigeria, Gowon urged the Federal Government to step
up sickle cell interventions in the country.
Gowon spoke in Abuja during the public presentation of two
books written by a Senior Pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, Asokoro, Babajide
Olowodola, whose son is a sickle cell patient. The books are entitled, Oasis in
the Desert and Reflections.
He said, “I hope the government will take it more seriously
to assist in this particular case especially when you hear that 75 per cent of
cases of sickle cell disease in the world occur in Nigeria. Is it the food we
eat? Why is this problem only mostly in Nigeria?
“I know I would have done something about this if we had
known during my time that there was that particular problem in Nigeria and I
think this is what the government should do. But let there be contributions
from the general public in order to combat this particular disease which harms
so many young Nigerians.”
A former Minister of Health, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, while
commending the efforts of the Federal Government and sickle cell foundations in
battling the scourge, gave the assurance that the disease would be managed
effectively by medical practitioners within the country.
He, however, stressed that to achieve that, there was need
for increased Federal Government intervention to allow for early detection of
the sickle cell disease.
Lambo said, “The government is paying attention to sickle
cell. With time and with what many foundations are doing, with the work that is
going on in research, looking at some of the drugs manufactured and used by these
people, very shortly it will be possible to manage sickle cell.
“But in terms of successes in managing the disease, the
earlier we can diagnose, the better. That is why whatsoever funds Olowodola is
able to get from here, he is going to dedicate it or a part of it to getting
the equipment for early diagnosis.
“As a former minister of health, I will endorse a simple
test by intending couples to know their genotype because it is clear that if
you have a certain genotype you should avoid getting married to somebody with a
certain genotype.”
The author, who is also the founder of the Babajide Olowodola Foundation, stressed that
regardless of the contributions of government in the health sector, there was
room for improvement.
While lamenting the absence of first class medical
facilities with modern equipment to tackle complicated diseases such as sickle
cell anaemia in the country, the author called for deliberate medical
interventions to revamp the nation’s health sector.
He said, “We have gone through a long night with our last
born who suffers the sickle cell disease and we don’t think another Nigerian
should be allowed to go through that experience alone.’’
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