Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has advocated greater enlightenment campaigns to stem the tide of sickle cell disorders in the state.
He spoke in Benin City, Monday, during a meeting with members of the Sickle Cell Club in his office.
According to the Governor, as part of government’s plan to cater for sickle cell sufferers, the State Government will set up a Sickle Cell Board to properly cater for the needs of sufferers.
He said: “to propagate awareness is much more important because, as they say, prevention is better that cure. Sickle cell as we all know is something that can be prevented by ensuring that the people with certain blood grade don’t get married.
“So raising awareness is at the heart of the objective of this centre.
“How the centre is run and the rules of the centre are the prerogative of the Edo state government. Therefore the authority of the commissioner to regulate, reorganize and restructure the affairs of the centre is provided for in this law as the full authority.
Governor Oshiomhole however regretted the misconception of members of the Sickle Cell Club on the aims and objectives of the Sickle Cell Center and called on members to properly acquaint themselves with the law establishing the centre.
He said the Government will properly equip the new Central Hospital, on completion, and employ specialists in various fields of medicine so that sickle cell sufferers can get the best treatment in the hospital.
He said “Government will take advantage of this meeting to review all aspects of the Centre to re-constitute the Board strictly as provided for under this law that set up the Centre, with focus to remain faithful to the provision of this law.”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Sickle Cell Club, Dr. Osagie Onaiwu said they were in Government House to draw the Governor’s attention to the plight of Sickle Cell sufferers and the state of the Sickle Cell Centre in Benin City.
