Godwin Maduka, a pain management professional who is the Founder of Las Vegas Pain Institute s teamed up with a former governor of the state, Peter Obi to support sufferers of sickle cell anaemia in the state.
At an event organised at the weekend at Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu, Anambra State, to mark the 2021 World Sickle Cell Day, the duo paid tribute to those who lost their lives battling with Sickle Anemia.
Maduka, a frontline governorship aspirant for the November 6 Anambra gubernatorial election also pledged to always support sickle cell patients both on pain complicated reactions and also aiding them financially through my foundation, ‘Dr. Godwin Maduka Foundation’ which has always assisted several indigent persons across Anambra State and beyond for many years.
“We’re not relenting, politics or no politics, God has been faithful,” he said.
“My heart goes out to our brothers and sisters who’ve lost their lives battling sickle cell and I pray God to grant them eternal rest in his kingdom”
Peter Obi, in his remarks, admonished members of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder not to see their condition as a death sentence.
The former governor explained that more efforts need to be made in creating awareness of the scourge of sickle cell disorder so as to stamp it out of society. He noted that the scourge is an avoidable pain, which if intending couples are well informed and guided, would be forestalled.
“Sickle cell disease is not death sentence, so you must not see yourselves as already dead, instead always adhere to doctors prescription and avoid hard drugs.
“If you carefully manage your health, I’m sure you can live well and long enough too. Do not let anyone see you as people who should be pitied, rather seek to develop yourselves.”
The National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLWSCD), Mrs Aisha Edwards, explained that this year’s International Sickle Cell Day afforded them the opportunity to mourn their members who had fallen under the weight of the painful disorder.
Edwards stated that they decided to organize the funeral mass because most of them were not given beffiting burials at death, due to the stigma attached to the disorder.
