POWA Commissions Sickle Cell Centre In Imo State

In Imo State, the Police Officers’ Wife Association (POWA) has established a center providing free health services for sickle cell patients.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the centre, the wife of the state’s Police Commissioner and Imo POWA Chairperson, Hajiya Habiba Ahmed Barde said it was established to cushion the pains and trauma sickle cell patients experience and endure.

Hajiya Barde, who said the initiative was borne out of her passion to offer succour to patients, appealed to the government at all levels and other concerned stakeholders to partner with efforts aimed at prioritizing the health needs of the patients across the country.

She said: Coming from the angle of a parent to a sickle cell patient, there is no need to overemphasise the pain, emotional stress and financial inconvenience parents of people living with sickle cell disorder go through, sometimes monthly and sometimes on a periodic basis.

“This hospital was renovated with a special ward for sickle cell patients. This hospital still needs attention and I pray that this facility will be replicated across the country to help save the lives of our special ones.”

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In her remark, the National Coordinator, of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell, Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, said: “For some sickle cell carriers who suffer prolonged crisis episodes, quality healthcare services is the silver lining and hope for them from such agonizing moments.

“The serenity and ambiance of the medical facility, the confidence, and warmth exuding from doctors and other caregivers, meticulous treatments and monitoring, are all factors that necessitate the recovery rate of the average sickle cell patient.”

“We are hopeful that this Police Medical Center would serve to project the image of the police as a health-conscious organization, providing the best healthcare delivery within Owerri municipality and beyond, more so now that both the Federal and state governments are seeking to curb medical tourism.

“POWA Imo State under the guidance of Hajiya Habiba Barde has succeeded in rekindling our faith in the Nigerian project- of health, peace, and progress. I would use this medium to tell everyone to embrace the Sickle Cell Disease (Eradication and Control) Law, and push for a replica in Imo State,” she added.

Among others, Jude Agbaso, the former governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah, the Minister of State for Education, who was represented by Hon. Obinna Ariaga, Coordinator, Egbema North Development Centre, praised the initiative and pledged their support towards it.