Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD) on Wednesday said the Covid-19 pandemic has hieghtened their sufferings and further rendered them incapacitated in view of their peculiar nature.
The group also lamented increase in prices of their medications and hospital bills ocassioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
National Coordinator of the body, Aisha Edwards, disclosed this in an address to the Bishop on the Niger, Right Reverend Owen Nwokolo, who distributed Covid-19 palliatives, including thousand bags of rice and cartons of noddles to them at the Bishop’s Court in Onitsha, Anambra state.
She regretted that Coronavirus pandemic has led to increase in prices of hospitalization and medication which has skyrocketed, thereby making some of their members lose hope in living and their parents and guardians getting frustrated and broken, while some now pray for death so they can rest.
Aisha disclosed that currently, APLSCD, is setting up a sickle cell home for the orphaned and indigent members which will be located at Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the State, appealing for necessary support.
While categorising the challenge of the group into two, medical and economic, Aisha Edwards thanked the Bishop for giving them sense of belonging, describing the gesture as dear to them.
She further commended the cleric for availing the association with a Chaplin, who would act as liaison between the association and the Diocese.
She also expressed belief that their presence would set in motion, a gale of positive interaction with the Diocese, and promote urgent intervention and attention to children living with sickle cell disorder from the Diocese.
Responding, Bishop Nwokolo encouraged the group to always seek to live and contribute to society, praying to God to strengthen them.
He posited that nothing happens without God’s knowledge, adding that Sickle cell is not a death sentence, urging them to continue to have faith in God, stand firm and not blame their parents, but to love everybody.
RPT/Ikenna/Monic.
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