First Lady and wife of Delta Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori has called on government, NGOs and well-meaning individuals for support and constant care for persons living with sickle cell disorder.
The Governor’s wife asserted this at the 2023 World Sickle Cell Day celebration held in the state on Tuesday, praising the founder of the O5 Foundation, Dame Edith Okowa for being at the fore of caring for sickle cell warriors in the State.
“Let me thank Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa for positively affecting the lives of sickle cell patients in the state. I pray that your dream concerning these warriors will come true. With this gesture, I am convinced that the war against Sickle Cell Disorder will gradually be won.
“I therefore appeal to the Ministry of Health, well meaning individuals, NGOs and faith based organizations to reach out and support the O5 Foundation to chart this worthy course”, Deaconess Oborevwori stated.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Formalizing New-born Screening”, Mrs. Oborevwori called for increased sensitization, training of health workers, early counseling and provision of vaccines against childhood infections. adding that the children should have a sense of belonging.
“I also want to commend parents and care givers for standing by their children and wards; please keep hope alive, do not be discouraged; continue to love and care for them, they are the future. We will surely see them grow and become well established in Jesus name.”
Former First Lady, Mrs. Okowa while presenting sets of Gazelle Machines used for screening of newborns to hospitals in the state, pleaded with Deltans to abide to the new born screening enacted in order to cater for carriers’ right from birth.
Highpoint of the celebration was the presentation of Gazelle testing equipment donated by O5 Foundation, to the Medical Directors of Sapele central hospital, Ughelli central hospital, Oleh central hospital, Kwale central hospital, Mother and Child hospital, Owa-Alero and DELSUTH.