Adewale Sanyaolu
Efforts to address the rising wave of sickle cell disease in Nigeria may have received the needed boost as the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, Panama Deck, recently held a health walk/awareness campaign.
Captain of NAS, Panama Deck, which is also the Ikeja Chapter Branch, Mr. Iheanyi Konkwo, said the campaign was aimed at sensitising residents within Ikeja and environs on the importance of knowing one’s genotype:
“Sickle cell disorders are a group of illness which affect the red blood cells and is a genetic condition, which means it is passed on from parents to born babies. Sickle cell disorders normal round and flexible blood cells to become stiff and sickle-shaped, stopping the blood cells, and the oxygen they carry, from being able to move freely around the body and causing pain.”
“Sickle cell disorders are a group of illness which affect the red blood cells and is a genetic condition, which means it is passed on from parents to born babies. Sickle cell disorders normal round and flexible blood cells to become stiff and sickle-shaped, stopping the blood cells, and the oxygen they carry, from being able to move freely around the body and causing pain.”
He said the association was targeting 400 beneficiaries through its free monthly medical mission and advocacy which would include boys, girls, men and women divided as follows, male 250 and female 150:
‘‘As a build up to creating awareness on our free monthly medical mission and advocacy, Panama deck embarked on a health walk, educating the public on sickle cell disease. Emphasis was made on genotype, how to match them and how to take care of sickle cell patients by the resource person.”
‘‘As a build up to creating awareness on our free monthly medical mission and advocacy, Panama deck embarked on a health walk, educating the public on sickle cell disease. Emphasis was made on genotype, how to match them and how to take care of sickle cell patients by the resource person.”
The health walk was about 7.5km, Allen Roundabout through Opebi Link Bridge, Oregun to Royal Bed Estate ,NAS Panama Ankor Point, Alade, Ikeja. Flyers were shared during the walk and later a talk was given by a resource person after the walk.
Okonkwo said there would be continuous awareness and free consultancy on sickle cell through the advocacy hub at NAS Panama Ankor Point.
He said NAS Panama Deck is also proposing to give out free products periodically as they become available from its sponsors, adding that this will be done in partnership with Zero Meridian Deck, London UK and other proposed international sponsors.