The Association of Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disorder has bemoaned the level of neglect and rejection faced by sufferers in the society, including lack of jobs and appointment by state and federal governments.
Addressing journalists in Awka on the plight of those living with the disorder, the National Coordinator of the association, Aisha Edward said that the association has observed with dismay that whenever they fill their conditions in documents, they are not offered employment hence it has resulted in many of them lying about their status in their medical reports about their status.
While frowning at the discriminatory attitude against sickle cell patients by some individuals and politicians who possess the financial muscle to assist the patients, she called on various government agencies in the country to create skill acquisition centers for them if they see them as unemployable, adding that they need money to pay for drugs and hospital bills.
Edward said: “People living with sickle cell disorder face hunger and malnutrition, deprivation, discrimination, rejection and outright neglect from families and friends.
“Sickle cell patients have rotten legs due to ulcer and rashes all over their bodies with no one to cater and care for them as friends and families have abandoned them to their fate.”
The Coordinator also condemned the way politicians have hijacked and politicized charity work leaving the needy in a hopeless situation.
She noted that the church on their part have also exploited them in the name of deliverance while another group of people hide under the guise of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to defraud unsuspecting members of the public who are in desperate need of salvaging their situation.
Edward called the church to provide a department or Chaplaincy where issues of charity and assistance to the needy would be proffered genuinely and in a dedicated manner to avoid issues of fraud, saying that those living with the condition cannot be held responsible for their plight.
•Photo shows Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole
