Sickle Cell: Five PLSCD Die as Ex-firstlady, Eberechukwu Obiano Enrolls 100 into ASHIA

By Praise Chinecherem

Wife of the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano has enrolled over 100 Persons Living With Sickle Cell Disorder (PLWSCD) in the state into the services of Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme (ASHIA) to ease their financial burden.

National Coordinator, Association of Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disorder and Director Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Mrs Aisha Edwards Maduagwu disclosed this during massive capturing of the sickle cell persons by officials of Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, Awka.

She described the event as not only historic milestone in their journey towards more inclusive and compassionate society, but significant breakthrough in their quest for accessible healthcare.

She further disclosed that they lost five of their registered members last month.

Extending gratitude to Obiano for her generous sponsorship of the programme, Maduagwu said the gesture had demonstrated her commitment to improving lives of PWSCD in the state.

She said, “It is safe to say that in the twilight of Chief Willie Obiano’s administration, the sickle cell law was passed and accented, making Anambra state, the state in the entire federation to embark on such a landmark legislation.

“100 persons living with sickle cell disorder were yesterday, enrolled into the Anambra state health insurance scheme to ensure that they receive comprehensive medicare without financial burden.

“The initiative which has bridged the gap in healthcare access for the sickle cell patients, will enable them to manage their conditions effectively and above all live fulfilled lives, thereby reducing mortality rates in the state to the barest minimum.

“It is for our continued survival that we urge the state government to pay more attention and create the mechanism to eradicate sickle cell in the state, and allocate resources towards its management.

“The above aphorism can be achieved if the sickle cell monitoring committee is reconstituted and empowered effectively to deliver on its mandates as enshrined in the Anambra state sickle cell control and eradication law, 2019.”

The National Coordinator applauded the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration for the little it had done to the sickle cell community through the state Ministry of Health.

She requested for more to be allocated to them with a view to driving sickle cell campaign to its logical conclusion in the state.

“We express our profound gratitude to Anambra state health insurance agency (ASHIA) for their collaborative efforts in ensuring that the registration exercise went ahead seamlessly.

“We also appreciate every politician who had reasons to identify with our plights irrespective of whatever political agenda they may be pursuing.

“We hope that you continue to visit us both in and off political seasons for the benefits of our survival,” she hinted.

The National Coordinator, who spoke among other things, emphasized that should

Maduagwu also urged their caregivers to be sympathetic towards the plights of her members and not to talk down on them to avoid creating fertile ground for financial exploitations.

“The caregivers should rather accord our members the desired respect and treat them with kindness and semblance of humanity,” she added.

Managing Director, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, said they were at the event to register about 100 people that were paid for by the wife of the immediate past Governor into the state health insurance scheme.

“You know in ASHIA, you pay up to #12,500 to join ASHIA, but we run an adoption model whereby philanthropists can pay for a group that cannot afford it. So, she paid for 100 patients living with sickle cell disorder, amounting to #1.25 million to join ASHIA”, he said.

Onyemaechi, represented by Dr. Ifedora Ngozika called on other politicians or philanthropists in the state to register for the rights of other people the donation by Obiano might not cover.