NAUTH will continue to partner with APLSCD............. Deputy CMAC
By Augustus Bill
Yesterday, at Nnewi, the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder in collaboration with NAUTH, Nnewi and NDLEA, took to the streets of the industrious city to alert people’s awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and self-medication.
The city wide rally, which is an initiative of APLSCD, under her coordinator Aisha Edward, created an ample opportunity to remind the society of the dangers of the continuous neglect and ignorance they show towards self medication, and to explain the life threatening consequences of drug abuse.
Dr. Joe Ugaja, the Deputy CMAC of NAUTH, Nnewi who spoke on behalf of the Prof. Igwebe, the CMD, during the after-rally seminar at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital Nnewi, highlighted that the program was a well thought out program, and that the hospital is very happy to be part of the project, which he said is coming at a right time when many lives have been lost to drug abuse and self medication. He said that Socio Economic status and ignorance are the main causes of drug and abuse and advocacies as this are what is needed to control them.
The CMAC, of the hospital who also took turn to express his happiness at the success of the event, blamed most self medication incidents on ignorance, citing that most patients prefer waiting on miracles than taking the necessary steps to avert life threatening dangers.
In her words, the Coordinator of APLSCD, admonished the society to understand the pains of sickle cell victims, who are in most cases the first casualties of drug abuse and self medication, due to their lifelong disorder that requires intake of controlled drugs. She however, stated that some clergies, mothers, Doctors and owners of pharmaceutical companies are not doing the needful to reduce the mortality rate of persons living with the disorder. She affirmed that some clergies encourage this abuse by making their members believe in the impotency of medical aid, but believe in the efficacy of miracles which most times do not happen. The mothers, she said can be the worst set, as they often neglect these sickle cell victims they brought into the world to cater for themselves, even to the extent of counting them as dead when they still have lives in them.
The doctors and pharmaceutical companies were not spared, as she firmly argued that most of them enjoy the pains of sickle cell victims, as they see them as potential customers that will enable the business thrive, either by payment of hospital bills for the doctors or purchase of drugs from the pharmacists. She also frowned at fake NGOs and Road Side Traditional Medicine Merchant that go about preaching of cure and all what not, all in the guise to extort money from sickle cell victims.
Aisha however, extolled the efforts of Medical consultants at NAUTH, Nnewi and some concerned missionary hospitals for their doggedness in ensuring that her members are well taken care of. She appreciated the benevolence of Dr.J Aneke, the HOD, Hematology Department of the hospital for his kindness and care towards her members, and also ensuring the success of the program.
She also thanked Miral Pharm. For their kind benevolent gestures to the Association, by ensuring that members of the Association get surgically equipped first aid kits to aid them in their day to day welfare. She however urged medical consultants and health care providers to ensure the use of products of Miral Pharm. in the treatment of sickle cell victims, as members have used their products and confirmed its efficacy.
The event also created an opportunity for the Pharm.OBINNA Enebe, representative of Miral Pharm. to present to members of the sickle cell association, Customized first aid kits from their company. The first aid kits according to him will go a long way in adding to the health care they receive from their doctors. He promised that Miral Pharm shall continue extending her warmth kindness to the Association, and shall be sending the first aid kits in batches.
Christopher Agabor, who represented Sule Momodu, the State Coomander of NDLEA, congratulated Aisha on her exploits, and posited that their Agency are ever ready to fight to finish in ensuring that drug abuse and self medication becomes history.
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Aneke, thanked APLSCD for the initiative, adding that his department saw it as a great idea to partner with, as it falls within her goals of reducing the mortality rate of persons living with sickle cell disorder in Nigeria, as opposed to the case in other parts of the world, where the mortality rate is very low, and sickle cell victims live up to 80. He also appreciated the efforts of the Corporate Affairs department of the hospital for the work they put in to ensure the success of the rally.
The event attracted dignitaries from various health sectors including, Dr. Joe Ugbaja, who represented the CMD of NAUTH Nnewi, CMAC of NAUTH, Rev. Nzegwu Anglican Diocese Awka Chaplain for APLSCD, Representative of Miral Pharm. Obinna Enebe, Christopher Agabor, who represented the state commander of NDLEA, Head of Nursing Mrs. Onyeliri, Head of public Health, Students of the NAUTH School of Nursing, members of NYSC and many others.