Okunade Adekunle and Ayoyinka Babade
Lagos, Oct 12, 2016 – The Rotary Club of Ikeja recently organised a lecture on sickle cell disease to sensitize members and the general public on the dreadful disease as part of its commitment in serving humanity.
The event which took place at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja also witnessed the presentation of gift items by the club to NOAH’s Ark foundation.
The guest lecturer, Dr Titi Adeyemo, Haematology and Blood Transfusion Consultant, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said Sickle cell disease is an illness that affects the haemoglobin contained in the red blood cells.
She explained that the disease is often diagnosed during childhood, stressing that it is a chronic illness for which different treatments and medications are available which can help in managing some of the symptoms and complications.
Dr Adeyemo said that over 25% of people in Nigeria are carriers of the Hgb S gene, Hgb SS, adding that as many as 150,000 children born annually HbSS,-50% die annually before their 5th birthday, especially among rural dwellers.
The Consultant added that sickle cell disease has no known symptoms in the first to six months of life due to circulating foetal haemoglobin and Dactylitis also known as hand-foot syndrome.
She explained extensively on the available treatment for the sickle cell patient which, she said could only help to relieve the symptoms and complications of the disease but that in most cases it has no cure.
“The goal of treatments and interventions is to relieve the pain, prevent infections, eye damage, strokes and control complications if they occur. Pain medicine for sickle cell patients are acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and narcotics such as meperidine, morphine, oxycodone, heating pads, hydroxyurea, Folic Acid and Blood Transfusion”, Adeyemo said.
To prevent crisis, Adeyemo advised that the patient should identify and avoid whatever can trigger the “Crisis” such as stress, extremes of heat and cold weather conditions.
“Don’t travel in airplane that is not cabin pressurized, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, eating healthy, avoid dehydration, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and rest, avoid alcohol and don’t smoke. Regular medical check-ups and treatment are important”, Adeyemo said.
She called on various non-governmental organisations to collaborate with government at all levels to eradicate the disease, saying that the fight against the disease should not be left into the hands of government alone.
She also advised government at all levels in the country to learn from developed countries on how they have been able to reduce the disease to a minimal level, saying that government should intensify awareness and sensitization campaigns about all issues relating to sickle cell anemia in order to engender the required enlightenment that people need and to also help to prevent, or to effectively manage its occurrence.
The founder of Noah’s Ark Foundation, 40-years old, Mrs Osasale Esangbedo, who is also living with the disease, disclosed: “I started this foundation in 2011 with a total of 60 patients; the oldest among them is 53 years old. It has been very stressful and highly challenging but I have been getting supports from families and friends. It (the disease) really affected my education but I thank God I am surviving it in spite of the challenges. It has been by God’s grace. I am using this medium to solicit for funds and assistance from government and individuals who are willing to share in my initiative to save lives and to help the patients achieve their dreams.
Esangbedo expressed appreciation to Rotary Club of Ikeja for the donation and support towards the foundation.
President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye, on behalf of members presented items including household materials, biscuits and drugs to the foundation.
Ojuroye promised that the club would continue to organise such lectures, and make further donations to demonstrate the Club’s commitment to serving humanity and helping put smiles on the faces of as many people as possible.
