Abians have been called upon to join forces with the Vicar Hope Foundation and Abia State Government in combating the menace of Sickles cell disease.
The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, who made the call in an occasion to mark this year’s world sickle cell awareness Day, an event organized by the Vicar Hope Foundation, office of the wife of the Governor, said the House of Assembly had earlier passed a bill into law mandating abians to test and publish their genotype and blood group on their identity cards to help create awareness on the endemic disease.
He said the primary responsibility of the legislature is to make laws that will ensure smooth running of governance in the State pointing out that the Abia State Identification of Blood Group and Genotype Law 2018, was established to help save children and families suffering the pain and anguish associated with the blood disease.
He assured that the legislators will not stop at making laws only but would assist by sensitizing their constituents on the menace of the aiilment as well as employ other measures to combating it and reduce its widespread to the barest minimum.
The speaker promised that the 7th Assembly will always provide the necessary legislative backing through adequate budgetary allocations to the health sector and follow constitutional provision that will accelerate same.
While thanking President of Vicar Hope Foundation and the wife of Abia State Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu for her passion in championing the course and swift implementation of the law through her pet project, Orji, on behalf of the Abia lawmakers pledged to support the vision with a view that it will better the lots of abians.
Earlier, the Chairman on the occasion, and a medical consultant at the Abia State Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, Dr.John Chikezie, had disclosed that Sickle cell is a non communicable disease but a red blood cell sickness that is life threatening noting that early prevention and collective collaboration would help reduce the scourge.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Elder Godfrey Azu, lauded the wife of the governor for partnering the Ministry to propagate its activities and the Abia State House of Assembly for enacting laws that will drive the move.
Elder Azu added that the statistics of those affected with the sickness shows that the disease is on the increase, noting that lack of sensitization had been a major setback.
He expressed hope that proper sensitization and continuous awareness campaigns as well as adequate funding of the Health sector will help in controlling the disease in the State.
