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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
June 19 was the day earmarked as the World Sickle Cell Day. The special day was to call the attention of the world to the predicaments of sufferers of a genotype disorder known as sickle cell disease.
Sufferers of this disease are called ‘warriors’ to indicate their resilience and endurance in the face of the agonizing pains they go through during crisis. However, the call and advocacy of these warriors over the years have always been an appeal to the government to invest more in medical facilities capable of ameliorating their sufferings.
The 2025 edition of World Sickle Cell followed the same pattern of appeals, advocacy, awareness creation and determination to survive.
In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Non-governmental Organization, Living Hope SaveCell Foundation, organized a walk tagged “Abeokuta Red Umbrella Walk” to commemorate the day.
The NGO founded by a sickle cell person, Oluwabusayo Soretire, gathered warriors like herself and commenced the walk from the Ibara Post Office Area of Abeokuta, and terminated it at the popular OPIC Roundabout.
Speaking, Soretire lamented the high cost of medication for the patients of sickle cell disease, calling on the Nigerian government to evolve policies capable of making the medication affordable.
She observed that the high cost of medication for sickle cell patients in Nigeria has furtherexacerbated their pains and challenges.
She explained that because of the current inflation in the country, prices of critical drugs have skyrocketed, thereby, making such drugs unaffordable for many sickle cell patients.
The NGO founded stressed that the government must come up with policies that will alleviate the pains and sufferings of sickle cell warriors.
Soretire, however, disclosed that the Walk was organized to create awareness on the genetic disorder, celebrate and encourage the warriors as well as calling the attention of the government and relevant stakeholders to the challenges associated with sickle cell disease.
She, however, urged warriors not to see their condition as pathetic or a death sentence, rather, they should be resilient, strong and courageous to pursue their life goals and ambitions.
“This is to celebrate, advocate and speak out to the warriors that having sickle cells is not a death sentence.
Warriors are resilient, strong and courageous.
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“The high cost of drugs, perhaps due to the economic situation and inflation has been a major challenge to us. For instance, a particular drug that was being sold for N1,300 last year is now being sold for N4,500. How many warriors can afford that?
“This is why I want to appeal to the government to evolve policies that will alleviate the pains and sufferings of sickle cell patients, particularly their medication. Also, the private sector and NGOs should partner with the government on making these drugs affordable”, Ms Soretire stated.
A parent of a sickle cell patient, Mrs Oluwayemisi Ogundipe, noted that managing a sickle cell child is not only time consuming, but finance and energy consuming.
She urged the would-be couples not to be blinded by love, but to be realistic and know their respective genotype and blood groups before marriage in order to avoid giving birth to sickle cell children.
In the same vein, Dotun Oladipupo, the convener of Oladipupo Foundation for Sickle Cell, at a press conference called on governments, stakeholders, and individuals to take decisive actions in supporting those affected by Sickle Cell Disorder.
He also called for a legislation that will gives equal opportunity to the sufferers of the the disease.
Speaking on the theme for the year 2025 celebration, “Global action, Local impact: Empowering communities for effective self-advocacy,” Oladipupo, who is a lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and a sickle cell patient, highlighted the need for collective efforts to promote better care, access, and affordability for individuals and families affected by SCD.
He lamented that the cost of drugs for SDC warriors had become highly expensive, which he described as a major concern for many who are from struggling families.
Oladipupo also advocated for increased awareness and understanding to reduce the stigma, emphasizing his call for inclusivity of opportunities for SDC warriors.
“The high cost of medication and treatment for SCD is a significant concern, with many individuals and families struggling to access life-saving therapies.
“People living with SCD face challenges in accessing employment opportunities, with many being unable to work due to the condition. SCD is often stigmatised; we are calling for awareness and understanding to reduce stigma and promote inclusivity”, he said.
Oladipupo also urged the government to invest more in research that could reduce Sickle Cell Disorder in Nigeria, noting that alternative medicine could be of help if well harnessed.
“We want the governments, stakeholders, and philanthropists to invest in research aimed at improving the quality of life for people living with SCD.
“Also, the national and state legislative arms should promote bills that give equal opportunities for people with SCD in areas such as job opportunities, empowerment, and access to quality healthcare”, Oladipupo submitted.
