By Mercy Obojeghren

Dame Edith Okowa,  the wife of Delta  Governor, says the best way to eradicate sickle cell disorder from the society is for individuals with AS genotype not to marry each other.

Edith Okowa, the Founder of the ”05 Initiative”, stated this on Monday at Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state during a ceremony organised to celebrate this year’s World Sickle Cell Day and the inauguration of the 23rd sickle cell clinic in the area.

Inaugurating the clinic, Okowa said the gesture was geared towards addressing the challenges associated sickle cell, as well as reducing the death of new born babies in the state.

The governor’s wife explained that the excruciating pains of sickle cell patients and their families, as well as the stress of queuing in hospitals in time of crisis, gave rise to the establishment of sickle cell clinics by the 05 Initiative across the state.

She advised residents to know their genotype, as well as where to access treatment.

Okowa appealed to the indigenes of the community to take advantage of the equipment in the clinic which she described as expensive.

She thanked the political leaders in the area for their unity and for keying into the vision.

The governor’s wife, while reminding the people that sickle disorder was not a death sentence, used the occasion to urge all to surrender their lives to God who alone could not disappoint.

She noted that any life lived without Jesus Christ was a wasted one no matter how highly placed such person was.

Okowa encouraged well meaning individuals to register their children with the health disorder into the state Contributory Health Scheme to enable them to benefit from the scheme yearly.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s World Sickle Cell Day “Shine the light on sickle cell”, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said the governor’s wife had alleviated the plights of sickle cell patients in the state, as she continued to draw attention to the disease with a view to curbing it.

Some of sickle cell carriers, a 54-year old healthcare worker, Mrs Elizabeth Ofomiyuaju  and a 34-year old Miss Dumebi Mozia gave testimony of how God has helped them and advised those living with the health disorder to be strong and make impact in their chosen careers.

The event, which was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Ochor Ochor, member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije, among others, featured health talks and free genotype test.(NAN)