The senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has promised to spearhead sickle cell awareness campaign and the group’s collaboration with the Senate.
Senator Abe who was speaking at a symposium to mark the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2017, said he would facilitate the Senate committee on Health to work in conjunction with the Association with a view to creating a legislative platform and framework for intensive national awareness as well as legal control in attitude and behavior regarding sickle cell disease in the country.
The forum was organized by Sickle Cell Interactive and Management Association in Collaboration with Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria and Action Against Sickle Cell, in Port Harcourt.
The only APC senator from Rivers state speaking further said this was necessary if the plights of sicklers are to be alleviated and the critical condition stemmed.
Senator Abe, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), narrated a pathetic account of news of the horror of sickle cell disease in many homes in Nigeria and urged all stakeholders to form a synergy aimed at addressing issues of sickle cell in Nigeria and beyond.
He commended the organizer, Ifeoma Ifejika, who, earlier, also in her speech had commended Senator Abe for agreeing to work with the association to partner with the Senate to provide legislative support to stem many issues arising from sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria