THE OPENING OF SICKLE CELL CLINIC IN ABA GENERAL HOSPITAL: FIRST 20 PATIENTS TO BE GIVEN FREE TREATMENT.

by Ubani Newman Ubani
#AbiaOnline
In her determination to support her husband and add value to the administration of the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Wife of the Governor and founder of Vicar Hope, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has been carrying out many programmes in the State.
So far, she has built houses for widows and indigent people in the State. She has helped many physically challenged individuals and restored hope to the needy. Through Vicar Hope Foundation, the Wife of the Governor has affected many lives positively.
However, in the healthcare services, she has initiated many programmes, all aimed at delivering qualitative, affordable and available medical care to the good people and residents of Abia State. Hence, tomorrow, the 30th April, a sickle cell care centre, established in collaboration with NEU- DYX Global Investment, an international company which has involved itself in medical oxygen provisions in the country and Abia State Health Management Board(HBM), would be launched in Aba. The understanding of this centre is to establish, maintain and run a sickle cell clinic at the vicinity of the General Hospital, Aba.
It is important to note that Nigeria has the greatest burden of sickle cell disease in the world. About 150,000 children born annually has SSD in Nigeria compared to 14,000 born in Ghana, and 2,000 born in United States. From available statistics, About 100,000 infants die from SSD in Nigeria annually. This accounts to the reason the Vicar Hope Foundation(VHF) has SSD as its flagship programme. The Foundation would continue to work with other agencies and corporations with similar interests in breaking the cycle of SSD and provide care to those affected appropriately at reasonable cost.
By establishing this clinic, the persons with sickle cell anaemia in the State can now access healthcare at General Hospital Aba.  This specialised care is one of the efforts of the visionary health friendly Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PHD to see that the health of every citizen of Abia is taken care of.
As part of the kick off of the centre, first 20 patients who attend the clinic tomorrow 30th April 2018 will receive free treatment from card fee to drugs.
The Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu deserves commendation as she has not been relented in supporting the vision of her husband and Governor of Abia State. Of course, it is common knowledge that Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu intends to improve on quality healthcare delivery aimed at making Abia a medical tourism destination .
So far, he has various healthcare interventions in the State, which of course has impacted greatly in the lives of the people. He has improved on maternal mortality and infant mortality indices and establishment of Abia State Emergency Medical Care, among others, Tele-Health initiative among others.
So, the people and residents of Abia State and the general public are advised to bring their loved ones who are suffering from circle cell anaemia for a qualitative healthcare delivery services.
To God be the Glory!
UNU,
29/04/2018.