Trinity varsity promotes awareness on sickle cell
Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, in collaboration with ‘Gail Sickle Initiative, has held an awareness programme on sickle cell disorder. At the event, themed, “A holistic perspective on the importance of
Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, in collaboration with 'Gail Sickle Initiative, has held an awareness programme on sickle cell disorder.
At the event, themed, "A holistic perspective on the importance of genotype compatibility'', the institution's Vice Chancellor, Prof Clement Kolawole, said their objective was to enable their students to understand the disorder and its effects and assist them to make informed decisions on how to avoid it when they graduate and settle down for life.
Kolawole, who was represented by Dr. Isaac Fadeyi, said the students should also be able to spread the message of sickle cell ''consciously and effectively.''
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He pledged the institution's commitment to providing more education on sickle cell. ''We will be in the forefront of the advocacy,'' he added.
The Registrar, David Oyejide, said the university provides an all-round education, including health. He was optimistic that the take-away from the programme would help the students in removing any ignorance about the disorder.
The convener, 'Gail Sickle Initiative, Miss Oluwafemi Ajayi, said living with sickle cell disorder comes with incessant pains. She listed its attendant problems as divorce, broken homes, and suicide, among others. Noting that the disorder is a medical condition, she warned against stigmatising those living with it.
She also said there was the need for young people whose genotypes are incompatible to terminate their relationships, as commonsense should prevail over love in such matters.
The National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Anette Akinseti, pushed for more government's attention to sickle cell like it is doing to HIV. At the moment, she complained, the government is not doing enough in that medical subsector. She sought more funds and reference laboratories in every zone in the country. She wants lawmakers and executives to put the problem in their front burner.
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Akinseti, a public health physician, and former Director, Federal Ministry of Health, urged the students to be ambassadors for propagating information on sickle cell..''Learn about it in order to tell others about it,'' she urged them.
While Dr Benjamin Adegunle, the Senior Registrar, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University (LUTH), advised for proper management of genotypes to avoid having children with the disorder, Dr. Anite Bassey of the Department of Pediatrics/Assistant Coordinator, Sickle Cell Club, General Hospital, Isolo, Lagos, encouraged those with it to keep hope alive. "Sickle cell does not stop you from being what you want to be,'' he said, adding that many people with the disorder, such as Adekunle Gold, a musician, have made it in life.
He also advised the students against jumping into marriage without knowing their fiance's genotype as it could be dangerous to do so. He added, "Know your genotype. Let's celebrate our warriors (that is, those with the disorder).''
A caregiver, Mrs Abiola Alade, narrated the pains that come with sickle cell disorder and that it is not easy to take care of those living with it. She canvassed proper education and routine checks for genotype compatibility for young people before they got married.
In his goodwill message, District 9111 Governor, Rotary International, Prince Henry Akinyele, represented by Prof. Femi Oloyede, described the event as well packaged. While seeking more awareness for the disorder, he pledged more partnership with initiative.
Kolawole presented an award of commendation to Ms Ajayi.
