The 16th sickle cell clinic built by the O5 Initiative, the pet project of wife of the Delta State governor, Dame Edit Okowa, has been inaugurated.
The clinic inauguration at the Warri Central Hospital was greeted with appreciation and joy by residents of the area who before now travelled far and wide for solutions to sickle cell anaemia.
Sickle cell clinics that have been established for the past six years in the state by 05 Initiative are located in Agbor, Ughelli, Oleh, Sapele, Kwale, Koko and Eku.
Others are in Patani, Otu Jeremi, Orereokpe, Isele-Uku, Umunede, Ogwashi-Uku, Akwukwu Igbo, Ibusa (Okwe upgraded). Nine council areas are yet to be covered.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dame Okowa said the facilities had in no small way impacted “our warriors and afforded them easy access to healthcare.”
According to her, the state sickle cell referral centre in Asaba, which is the third largest in the country, has been of benefit to sufferers.
“ We recently added the Variant Newborn Screening Machine used for the determination of the genotype of newborn babies at the referral centre.
“We are not resting on our oars, God being our helper with the cooperation of Deltans, we will establish more clinics in the remaining local government areas of the state.
“ Let me at this juncture appreciate the people of Warri South Local Government Area for their contributions towards the actualisation of this project.
“I am confident that healing will come speedily as the facility is put to use. It will, to a large extent alleviate the sufferings of our warriors.”
Mrs. Okowa charged that the fight against sickle cell disorder should not be left to parents, caregivers and sufferers alone, adding that “we owe them love and support at all times.
“You may say you do not have enough but there is something you can give; your smile and encouragement will make life worth living for the warriors.
“ As we join our hands together for the good of society, we can change our world, one person at a time.”
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