A sickle cell patient and an Miss Chilotam Ezikwelu, Saturday, sought intervention of governor of Anambra Chukwuma Soludo , wealthy individuals and corporate entities to undergo an urgent medical attention at a teaching hospital.
Chilotam, who is the only surviving child of late Mr Akpu and late Mrs Regina (Opel Ugbondu) Ezikwelu of Irudo Igbuala Village, Ifitedunu in Dunukofia LGA, is currently in need of blood, care and other welfare packages to bounce back to life.
Blueprint reports that the 18-year-old girl was weak and unable to express herself as at the time our correspondent discovered her at Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Homes, Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra state.
Speaking on her behalf, the Director of the orphanage home and National Coordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD), Mrs Aisha Edward-Maduagwu, lamented that Chilotam was also suffering of depression because she was abandoned to die possibly because of her sickle cell disorder (SCD) condition.
Edward -Maduagwu, who recalled how she was brought to her attention when she was 14-years-old, described her as a promising child who had excelled in weaving, a skill she acquired when SCD crisis and kidney problems she sustained due to poor medical attention could not allow her further her education.
“Chilotam is currently receiving palliative medical care under my watch. We need money to take her to a teaching hospital where her health will be well managed. We don’t have money to do that now and we don’t want her to die. She is actually from a rich home. But her financial burden and welfare had been under my head for about five years now.
“Her auntie, Mrs Vicky Chikwelu served as a commissioner for Women Affairs under the former governor Willie Obiano. Also, Mrs Ify Obinabo, the present commissioner for Women Affairs under the administration of Soludo, is married to one of her father’s siblings. I am appealing to governor Soludo and his wife, Nonye to help save this girl. I am also appealing for the assistance of other well to do individuals and corporate entities to assist Chilotam,” she stated.
