Donation
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
Ibadan, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Family of the late Ibadan-based industrialist, Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, on Wednesday donated drugs and N5 million to 500 sickle cell patients in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation was done by the family, in partnership with an NGO, Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) to mark this year’s World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
NAN also reports that the late business mogul, the father of the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin died on June 19, 1991 after battling with sickle cell disease.
Speaking at the occasion, held at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the speaker said that the donation of the drugs and cash was in continuation of the 33rd anniversary of his father’s demise.
Ogundoyin expressed the regret that his late father fought ‘fearlessly, courageously and tenaciously’ with sickle cell disease until he breathed his last 33 years ago.
He said that the free drugs given to the 500 sickle cell patients from across the state would last them for three months.
The speaker said that the family decided to embark on raising awareness, providing drugs and empowering those affected by the deadly disease in honour of the memory of a life well-lived by their patriarch.
“Just like every other sickle cell patient, my father’s struggle with the disease was immense and intense, but he never lost hope.
“I must say that his life was a demonstration of the power of hope and determination which all of us, including those living with the disease, must emulate,” he said.
The speaker further stated that the family had resolved to continue their patriarch father’s tireless support to the sickle cell disease community by supporting awareness and advocacy on the disease.
He said that the family had also continued to provide resources, drugs and access to healthcare services for the patients.
“With this, we hope to make a difference in their lives, create a brighter future for them and ultimately keep the memory and legacy of late Ogundoyin,” he said.
Ogundoyin urged the sickle cell patients at the occasion not to allow the genetic disorder to hamper their lives struggle and ambition.
“As a nation, we must rise up to the challenge posed by sickle cell disease because 70 per cent of the world’s cases of the disease occur in Africa, with Nigeria having the highest number of carriers worldwide.
“We need to come up with policies that will reduce the economic burden put on families by the patients who frequently visit hospitals and buy drugs for survival.
“They must, therefore, have unhindered access to free healthcare services, drugs, genetic counseling, prenatal test and comprehensive medical care,” he said.
The speaker enjoined NGOs, religious institutions, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to increase awareness to end the stigmatisation against individuals and families affected with sickle cell disease.
“We need to show them love and give them support,” he said.
Ogundoyin assured that the legislature would work with other arms of government in the state to pass laws that would protect the rights of sickle cell patients and improve their living conditions so that they could live productive and fulfilling lives.
“We are not just honoring my father’s memory but the resilience of every individual who has fought against this disease.
“We celebrate the courage of those who have lost loved ones and the determination of those who continue to battle on.
“Let us continue to raise our voices, to support one another and to fight for a world where sickle cell disease no longer defines a person’s worth or potential,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor Chrisland University, Prof. Chinedum Babalola, who gave the keynote address, said that Nigeria had the largest number of people affected by sickle cell disease in the world.
According to Babalola, 50 million people, which is 25 percent of the country’s population, are affected by the disease. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SEY/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
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