APLSCD HOLDS MEDICAL INTERACTIVE SESSION
..As National Coordinator marks birthday anniversary.
Towards attainable standards in best sickle cell management in Anambra State and Nigeria, the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, APLSCD, recently held its monthly medical interactive session at the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home Agulu. The session affords sickle cell carriers the opportunity to gain first hand medical advice and insights on modern trends in managing their precarious health challenges, by interacting privately with medical practitioners comprising of hematologists, physiologists, pediatricians and dietitians, since eating balanced diets and drinking lots of water helps in mitigating anemic looks in sickle cell patients.
Leading the team of medical experts to the sickle cell home Agulu, was a professor of medicine from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Prof Charles Odenigbo, who came at the behest of H3 Africa Foundation, a United States Government sponsored project to determine the causes of diseases in Africa. The consortium facilitates fundamental research into diseases on the African continent with views to support a sustainable African research enterprise. Also in the team was Dr John Aneke, a consultant hematologist from NAUTH Nnewi, among others.
The medical experts also collected samples for a comprehensive laboratory tests to determine patients health profiles, and to detect and prevent future occurances that might pose danger to their health. The results of the tests would be later communicated to the patients by the caregivers. This platform has saved patients and their families from incessant financial exploitations from medical cabals bent on profiteering excessively from the desperations of sickle cell patients.
The event which concided with the birthday anniversary of the National Coordinator of the Association, Mrs Aisha Edward Maduagwu, took a celebration galore as members cheerfully displayed scintillating dance steps to music, in appreciation to God for his kindness and mercy upon the national coordinator. As Mrs Maduagwu added another year to her age, more ecomiums continue to pour in towards an amazon whom had sacrificed a considerable part of her adulthood to sickle cell advocacy, thereby founding a renowned NGO, the APLSCD brand; that has remained responsive to the hydra-headed challenges of sickle cell disease, and by ensuring a wider coverage of sickle cell sensitization and awareness, while also initiating food programs for the benefit of orphaned sickle cell children and indigent chronic patients.
Mrs Maduagwu expressed her joy on how God has taken her thus far, being able to surmount numerous obstacles as a person living with sickle cell disorder. She thanked her husband and children overwhelming for their supports in creating the family bond and values that she so cherishes.
“I feel fulfilled about the succeses of my advocacy in preventing sickle cell disease from taking a dangerous turn in our society, I return all the glory to God who have been my bedrock and always with me through thick and thin.
“I also feel honored to have received such kind felicitations from family, friends and well-wishers on my birthday, your words of encouragement would spur me towards achieving greater service delivery in this all important humanitarian calling and advocacy,” Said Mrs Maduagwu.
While sending his goodwill message to the national coordinator and the association, member Board of Directors of the association, and spiritual mentor to Mrs Maduagwu, Rev Fr Dr Cosmas Ebebe, urged members to carry back the message of sickle cell sensitization to their families and immediate environment, as part of their own advocacy, and as agents of positive changes. He extolled the dedication and service of Aisha Edward in caring for the needs of impoverished sickle cell orphans which is evident in the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home Agulu. Fr Ebebe advised members to shun every form of drug addiction and self-medication, but always seek medical help whenever the need arises. He also encouraged patients to explore the caregiving opportunities that abound in the developmental partnership existing between APLSCD and NAUTH Nnewi, without fear or apprehensions.
The national coordinator later disbursed some cash assistance and food items to all members, as was the norm in every gathering of the association in order to cushion the ugly effects of economic difficulties.
© APLSCD NEWS PUBLICATION 2021
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