The Kebbi Sickle Cells Association, has solicited the donation of N7. 8 million for hip replacement surgeries for six of its members at the Birnin Kebbi Federal Medical Centre.
The state Coordinator of the association, Hajiya Hadiza Yahaya- Shantali, made the appeal in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on activities lined up to celebrate the 2020 World Sickle Cells Day.
Yahaya-Shantali said that the association had limited funds to finance the surgeries and other routine activities thus necessitating the appeal to public spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of the six patients.
“Presently, KESCA has six members in need of hip replacement surgeries at the cost of N1.3 million each, at Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi.
“We have very limited funds to take care of the surgeries on top of our sensitization programmes, provision of daily drugs and genotype testing in remote villages across the state,” she said.
According to her, the year 2020 has witnessed a lot of fear and anxiety nationwide, which disrupted many of their activities.
Yahaya-Shantali said that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic had made the association to shut down its office.
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She said that those with sickle cell disorder were among the groups susceptible to infection of coronavirus.
“This is what made us to think of strategies of encouraging and sensitising our members and indeed those with underlying medical condition on how to live through this trying period.”
According to her, it has been the association’s tradition to join the rest of the world in celebrating the world sickle cell day on June 19 each year.
“In the course of these celebrations, the organisation will be embarking on media awareness, sensitisation campaigns, distribution of facemasks, hand sanitisers, reading materials as well as free routine drugs and some nutritional supplements to our members and those with underlying health condition.”
Yahaya-Shantali called on the government to ensure the protection of children and individuals living with SCD by enacting the state sickle cell law.
In her remarks, the Wife of Kebbi Governor, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, represented by Hajiya Zara’u Wali, appreciated the Association for helping to ease the plight of sickle cell patients.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dr. Bagudu donated N200,000 in support of the association’s programmes.
The theme of this year event is : Reducing the Burden of Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria- Utilizing Evidence and the Role of Stakeholders.
