The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says its willing to collaborate with institutions, foundations and research centres to provide solutions to life threatening diseases within the Niger Delta region.
The managing director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said this during the Inauguration of an advocacy event held at the NDDC quarters in Port Harcourt to Herald the sickle Cell Health Promotion and Sensitisation Programme, with the theme “Bridging the gap in sickle cell disease management and care”.
Statistics from the world health organization, WHO, Indicates that Sickle cell disease is more common in sub-sahara Africa, than other parts of the continent, with Nigeria accounting for 30% of the disease.
The managing director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said there is need for all stakeholders to join in the campaign against SCD and pledged that the NDDC is willing to partner research institutions to tackle life threatening diseases.
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The founder of Sickle Cell Awareweness Initiative Ireland-Nigeria, Esther Pepple Onolememen, is also a victim of the disease, whose daughter, Reme Onolememen, succumbed to the condition two years ago.
She said Rene’s dreams and aspirations in life, triggered the advocacy and campaign against sickle cell disease.
A sickle cell survivor, Winifred Gabi, shares her experience.
Medical doctors in their paper presentation harped on the need for early diagnosis and pre-marital counselling as some of the possible remedies to the spread and impact of the diseases.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
