The Beulah Sickle Cell Foundation has pleaded with the federal government to consider making genotype testing free in hospitals and clinics.
Speaking weekend in Abuja during the 4th anniversary of the foundation, the founder of Beulah Sickle Cell Foundation, Josephine Olunaike, who is also a warrior, advised caregivers not to give up on taking care of warriors because it is not of their own making that they were born with the blood disorder.
She said it has not been a smooth ride since the foundation was birthed four years ago, but appreciated her sponsors, including IHS Towers and Lions Club, Abuja, for the solidarity over the years.
She revealed that her foundation holds monthly clinic for warriors, where they are given routine medications, even as she advised other warriors not to give up hope as the disorder is not a death sentence.
“Celebrating this milestone of four years of caring for warriors means a lot to me because we have faced a lot of challenges. I thank God for sustaining us over the years. Our sponsors have been amazing, especially IHS Towers and Lions Club. With them funding us, we have overcome many challenges.
“Nevertheless, I plead with the federal government to make genotype testing free across the federation like it did with HIV. This will encourage people to carry out genotype tests willingly before courtship and marriage. It will also help to curb the issue of warriors because many will not marry and bring warriors into the world if they discover on time that their genotypes are not compatible,” she said.
Also speaking, Lion Alex Chukwuyem of Lions Club, Abuja Metro, said that the federal government is not doing enough in catering for warriors.
