A Sickle Cell Patient and a Student of the University of Benin with name wittheld has decried the current situation of the Sickle Cell center in Benin City, describing the experience as a nightmare as Edo government diverted the Centre for other uses.
Sickle Cell patients in Benin City, Edo State, have recently raised alarm accusing the Governor of the State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for diverting Sickle Cell centre and neglecting patients in the State.
They converged at the abode of Human Rights Activists Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as the Ultimate equal, in the quest for justice and also to relay their complaints , with the hopes of being answered.
On Arrival at his residence, Chief Patrick openly received and warmly welcomed them into his residence, he listened and promised to look into the matter.
According to them, sickle cell patients were restricted to a room and nine beds, ursuped two vehicles and ambulance, While the other part of the building was used for other purposes not attached to sickle cell.
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In response to the sad news, Patrick during an interview with journalists said health is life and It is the responsibility of the government to give its citizens good health and conducive infrastructures. He blamed the governor for perpetuating such act, stating that, he further called on well meaning Nigerians to lend their voices to combat the injustice.
Chief Dr. Eholor condemned the act and said the Governor would have expanded the structure rather than forcefully occupying. He said he is Willing to get himself in necessary trouble to combat injustice against the Sickle Cell patients, he said he has discussed with his Lawyers and they were backed by 21 other lawyers to handle this case.
“Over the years, There have been several attempt by the Ministry of Health to seize the place before now but it succeeded with this administration.
“I’m calling on the Deputy Gov. Felix Shuaibu to intervene in the issue and Settle the matter. You have the same ticket with The Governor, let him leave the facility for the Sickle Cell patients.” He stated.
In a bid to take measures for fact finding, All Campus Show correspondent, embarked in investigations regarding the issue.
In an interview with the President of Edo sickle cell club, Comrade Charles Edigin revealed the Sickle Cell Centre as a first of it kind in Sub Saharan Africa, which was set in 1988 up after a public fund raising by the Esama and his wife as the forerunners of the fundraising, along side Gen. Ibrahim Bababangida, Dr. S. Ogbemudia, amongst others. He said the only contribution made by the Government is the Land to mount the structure.
We asked and he affirmed that the Structure was managed by the sickle Cell Club from 1993 till 2004 due to funding issues. He openly declared that there is the existence of sickle cell patients in an average Nigerian Family, whilst affirming that the disability requires special health care attention. According to him, the Sickle Cell Club wrote a bill soliciting funds from the government to manage the Center in a bid to keep the Center running and the bill was passed into Law in 2005 by The then Governor, Lucky Igbinedion, who was also a sponsor to them.
He said one of sections contained in the law stated that the “Centre should not be used for other purpose “
However, the Governor ursuped the Facility and hampered the system of health care treatment given the patients, he further said that the center has been diverted for other use, whereas, skeletal medical care is being given to sickle Cell patients within 8 hrs in a room with just 9 beds and the ambulances /vehicles have been taken away.
Moreover, according to him, the Sickle Cell disorder mostly triggers at midnight and with this new development, anyone in crisis after the working hours will not be attended to.
He further stated that with concrete evidence to show ,the restrictions has greatly affected the Sickle Cell community in Edo state as it has led to the loss of over 50 sickle cell sufferers.
During the interview , Comr. Charlse reminisced a time when Gov. Obaseki visited the Centre on world sickle cell day, and made promises to take care of the Sickle Cell patients during his administration. He confirmed that in partial fulfilment of this, he renovated the building and stocked it with adequate facilities used to render quality treatments to the patients, however, this new development is a surprise and made the centre to be jam-packed with patients.
He further called on the World health organization, well meaning Nigerians and Civil Society Organizations, to come to their rescue by intervening in the Situation. Adding that it is the responsibility of a state government to take care of the sick and vulnerable but he wonders why Edo state is different?
As at the time of filing this report, all effort to contact Mrs Helen Ahibi, the Administrative secretary of the centre for further fact finding, have proved abortive as she has been avoiding the journalists with insulting words by a staff member.
People Democratic Party government may further add to the pains of the citizens rather than solving them. Can we trust any PDP led administration from Federal government to local level?