The National Coordinator of All Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD) and Director of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Anambra State, Mrs. Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, has celebrated Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, the wife of the former Anambra State governor, Mr. Williams Obiano, after Sickle Cell patients were captured into Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) had, on September 5, 2025, reported that Mrs. Obiano donated free Health Insurance Cards to all Sickle Cell patients in the state.
Mrs. Maduagwu, announced this earlier in the week in a brief statement.
She admonished all sickle cell patients to come to the orphanage today, September 6, to get enrolled.
Maduagwu had written: “All Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disorder should come to the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, opposite UBA Bank, Nwagu Agulu, on the 6th of September 2025 to collect their free Anambra State Health Insurance Cards procured by one of our kind donors who promised to renew all cards every year.
“The time for the collection is 8 AM prompt.”
Following the successful conclusion of the event, Maduagwu gave her vote of thanks, especially to gratitude to Mrs. Obiano.
In her address, she celebrated the “historic mass capturing of sickle cell persons of Anambra extraction into the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, generously sponsored by Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) on 6th September 2025”.
Mass capturing of sickle cell persons into the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency
Maduagwu noted that over 100 persons with sickle cell disorder were enrolled into the state health insurance scheme.
She said amongst other things:
“Today, we gather to celebrate a historic milestone in our journey towards a more inclusive and compassionate society. The mass capturing of sickle cell persons into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme marks a significant breakthrough in our quest for accessible healthcare.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano for her generous sponsorship of this initiative, demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of persons living with sickle cell disorder. Her support has been instrumental in making this milestone possible.
“After leaving office as the first lady of Anambra State, Osodieme who is the founder of the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) has continued to commit her resources into providing succor to the less privileged, partnering with our organization to provide the real solution to myriads of challenges facing Anambra citizens with sickle cell disorder, particularly in healthcare management.
“It is safe to say that in the twilight of Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano’s administration, the Sickle Cell Law was passed and accented, making Anambra State the first state in the entire federation to embark on such a landmark legislation.
“Now, going by the large turnout of SCD persons gathered here today to benefit from the free health insurance scheme, it is evident and glaring that Sickle Cell disorder still poses a menacing threat to our society, after our previous warnings to the present government to comply with and enforce the sickle cell law, to mitigate frequency in sickle cell births.
“The non-compliance with the sickle cell law has reversed any meaningful progress made so far towards sickle cell eradication. It beats our imaginations how we can all lean back and pretend that all is well, while numerous families continue birthing sickle cell children, some as much as 5 children in a single family.
“Last month alone, our organization lost five registered members to death, which traumatic experience propelled us to now crying out ceaselessly.
“It is only our organization that engages in sickle cell sensitization and genotype awareness across the length of Anambra State.
“Those who should utilize government apparatuses for a possible turnaround against this hydra headed monster, are aloof and enjoying the warmth of their cozy offices, while SCD persons are succumbing to their conditions in numbers without any hope in sight.
Mass capturing of sickle cell persons into Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, sponsored by Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano on 6th September 2025
“Over 100 persons with sickle cell disorder are today being enrolled into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring they receive comprehensive medical care without financial burden.
“This initiative bridges the gap in healthcare access for sickle cell patients, enabling us to manage our conditions effectively and lead fulfilling lives, thereby reducing mortality rates.
“It for our continued survival that we urge the State government to pay more attention and create the mechanisms to eradicate sickle cell, and allocate resources towards sickle cell management.
“This can be achieved if the sickle cell monitoring committee is reconstituted and empowered effectively to deliver on its mandate as enshrined in the Anambra State Sickle Cell Disease (Control and Eradication) Law, 2019.”
Maduagwu called on all stakeholders, especially religious leaders, to advocate for increased public awareness and education on sickle cell disease to dispel myths and promote understanding.
She emphasised that only the trio of the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, and the Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, are working assiduously in this regard in their respective diocese to eradicate sickle cell disorder with APLSCD organization on this matter.
She stated further:
“On this month which is globally recognized as the sickle cell awareness month, all hands must be on deck without leaving this herculean task of fighting the scourge in the hands of a collective few.
“A lot of distance needs to be covered, and that includes the economic and social welfare of vulnerable and underprivileged sickle cell persons.
“Our detractors who could not stomach the success we have achieved over the years keeps accusing us of running a profit enterprise.
“We remain steadfast and committed to deliver on our set goals and objectives, and hence call on such people making such insinuations to please come forward so we can give them some SCD persons to manage, so they too can be in the profit making business of managing sickle cell patients.
“I would like to use this medium to appreciate the government of Anambra State HE Prof. Charles Soludo, for the little they have done to our sickle cell community through the ministry of health, and Anaocha LGA and ask that more should allocated to drive this campaign to it’s logical ending.
“We are speaking boldly today because we wear the shoes and know where it pinches most. To my fellow warriors, don’t allow any form of stigmatization or having people discriminate against you, but speak out boldly and contact the organization for further actions where necessary.
“I may not be there to speak for you tomorrow, so it behooves on your individual self to speak boldly and fearlessly, employing every necessary legal channel to vent your frustration.”
She appreciated every politician who had found reasons to identify with the plight of “sicklers” irrespective of whatever political agenda they may be pursuing.
She expressed hope that they will continue to visit them “both in and off political seasons for the benefits of our survival”.
Maduagwu urged caregivers to be sympathetic towards the plight of “sicklers” and not talking down on them to create room for financial exploitations.
“They should accord us our desired respect and treat us with kindness and semblance of humanity.
We express our profound gratitude to the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA, for their collaborative efforts in ensuring that the registration exercise today goes ahead seamlessly.
“Once again, I sincerely appreciate Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano for her milk of kindness which has brought us succor. Posterity would forever remember her sacrifice and reward her good deeds accordingly,” she added.
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