The Wife of the Delta State Governor and founder of O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, on Tuesday inaugurated two sickle cell clinics in Oshimili North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

At the inaugural ceremony, Dame Okowa said that the peculiar nature of Oshimili North LGA, especially with regards to its vastness gave rise to the need to establish two centres in the local government.

She said: “The inauguration of these clinics has been my long-term desire so as to help cater for the health needs of those living with sickle cell disorder.

“Beyond establishing these clinics, however, our desire is to make these facilities accessible to those who need it and that is why we have gone against the initial tradition by establishing two clinics in this local government so that people can access it from different areas.

“It is our desire to see that the peculiar needs of these ‘warriors’, as we choose to call them, are met in the midst of the myriad of health challenges of the growing population. This is exactly why we are establishing special clinics that will be accessible to them,” she explained.

The O5 Initiative founder advised the residents of the communities to make proper use of the facilities for the benefit of the people, adding that the equipment are not to be sold or relocated to a different place.

In her address at the launch, the Director General of the Initiative, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, said that the projects are in line with the vision of O5 Initiative, which is centred on making life bearable for those who need help.

Welcoming Dame Okowa, a member representing Oshimili North constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, describing the initiative as laudable.

Also, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said that the sickle cell disorder is far from being a death sentence, but rather a health situation that can be managed, when given adequate information and medical attention.

The clinics at Akwukwu-Igbo and Ibuza General Hospitals, both in Oshimili North, bring to 14 the number of clinics established across the various local government areas of state.

Some of the facilities inaugurated at the various clinics include Haematospin machines, genotype tanks, electrophoresis machines, stocks of reagents to last about five years, as well as refurbished laboratories. (NAN)