About 200 Sickle Cell patients have benefitted from free Medicare facilitated by a non-governmental organization (NGO), The CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative. Free tests, screening, and medication were organized by the NGO in Lagos..
Mrs Christianah Bakare, the Project Coordinator for the initiative made this known at a “Project Treat A Warrior” clinic at Ikeja.
“We are doing here today what we called project to treat a warrior. This is where we bring the community of sickle cell patients together.
“We help them and give them free medical consultations and medications as we bring doctors from different medical fields and hospitals. We are out to help the patients cushion the effects of Sickle cell.
“We have almost 200 people in attendance as we speak and the number is increasing. We intend to attend to all patients that present themselves We also have other programmes for them,” she said.
Mrs Bakare said that the initiative had also carried out other activities such as Project Empower A Warrior, Project GenEducation, Project Keep A Warrior Warm, and Training for Sickle cell patients.
According to her, the initiative will not relent in assisting people living with Sickle cell disease in the country.
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“In our project GenEducation, we go to communities to tell people about Sickle cell.
“We educate people about how to avoid it and how to maintain and take care of those that have the diseases to avoid complications surroundings the disease,” Mrs Bakare said.
According to her, now that the nation is in raining season, parents who have children with sickle cell must keep them warm, give them water to be hydrated all the time.
Mrs Bakare urged the government across levels to be more attentive to the plights of the patients and help to stop all discrimination and marginalisation.
The incoming President must give more attention to people living with Sickle cell and ensure free screening, tests, and medication for patients, she added.
“We have done a lot for the communities like other NGOs. The government should reach out to us to help more of these people at the grassroots,” she said.
The initiative also availed patients of Full Blood Count, Malaria Parasite and Genotype tests free of charge.
There were also opticians, hematologists, psychologists and dentists around to attend to other health needs of the people.
Mrs Bolanirandeji Adeyale, the Finance Director Cri