By Jude Michael
The wife of a former Anambra State Governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, has enrolled over 100 persons living with sickle cell disorder into the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA, scheme to enable them to access comprehensive medical care.
While addressing a mammoth crowd that gathered at the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, in Anaocha LGA of the state, for mass capturing of the beneficiaries on Saturday, September 6, the National Coordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, Mrs Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, thanked Chief Mrs Obiano for the gesture.
The National Coordinator noted that the initiative had bridged the gap in healthcare access for sickle cell patients, enabling them to manage their conditions effectively and lead fulfilling lives, thereby reducing their mortality rates.
‘Over 100 persons with sickle cell disorder are today being enrolled into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring they receive comprehensive medical care without financial burden,’ she said, describing Mrs Obiano’s kind gesture as a significant breakthrough in the quest of persons with sickle cell disorder for accessible healthcare.
According to her, the initiative demonstrated Mrs Obiano’s commitment to improving the lives of persons living with sickle cell disorder.
‘After leaving office as the First Lady of Anambra State, Osodieme (Mrs Obiano) who is the founder of the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), has continued to commit her resources into providing succour to the less privileged, partnering with our organization to provide the real solution to the myriads of challenges facing Anambra citizens with sickle cell disorder, particularly in healthcare management.
‘We sincerely appreciate her for her milk of kindness which has brought us succour. Posterity will forever remember her sacrifice and reward her good deeds accordingly,’ Mrs Maduagwu said.
She also expressed gratitude to the ASHIA for what she called its collaborative efforts in ensuring that the registration exercise for the beneficiaries went ahead seamlessly.
Maduagwu also appreciated the Divisional Police Officer, Anaocha LGA, for deploying his officers for crowd control during the registration exercise, noting that the large turnout of persons living with sickle cell disorder for the free health insurance scheme was glaring evidence that the disease still posed a menacing threat to society despite series of appeals to the present state government to enforce the Anambra State Sickle Cell Law, 2019.
She recalled and appreciated the support of the Bishops, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese; Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Catholic Diocese; and the Rt Revd Samuel Ezeofor of Aguata Anglican Diocese, all of who, she said, were working assiduously in their respective dioceses to eradicate sickle cell disorder through assigning chaplains to collaborate with her organization.
Maduagwu also thanked the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo; his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo; the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike; and Anaocha LGA for their various support to the Anambra sickle cell community, appealing to them to pay more attention to the community so as to drive the campaign against sickle cell menace to its end.
‘We are speaking boldly today because we wear the shoes and know where it pinches most.
‘A lot of distance needs to be covered, and that includes the economic and social welfare of vulnerable and underprivileged sickle cell persons,’ Maduagwu said.
She however emphasized that her organization remained steadfast and committed to delivering on its set goals and objectives.
In an interview with newsmen, the Managing Director, AISHA, Dr Simon Onyemaeche, represented by an officer of the agency, Dr Ngozika Ifediora, said the insurance cost N12, 500 for each person, and commended Mrs. Obiano for spending 1.25 million Naira for the registration.
Noting that the crowd that gathered for the exercise was more than the number of persons paid for, Dr Onyemaeche appealed to other philanthropists in the state to emulate Chief Mrs Obiano.
In separate interviews with newsmen, some of the beneficiaries who included Njideka Ikeagu, Onyenye Ezibe, among others, expressed joy and appreciation to Mrs Obiano, praying God to reward her and her family abundantly.
Distribution of immune boosting medi-care to the crowd of persons living with sickle cell disorder that gathered for the exercise, among others, was part of the exercise.
