A 55-year old Chartered Accountant, Shehu Olaitan Mohammed will on Saturday, 19 June, 2021 present to the public a book on Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) in Abuja.
In a statement by the author, Shehu Mohammed, the book chronicles his life story as a sickle cell disorder (SCD) survivor.
The book entitled: I’m a Survivor: The Story of My Triumph Over Sickle Cell Pain, will be made public at the Merit House, Maitama Abuja from 10 am to 1.00 pm under strict Covid-19 adherence protocol.
According to him, the date was specifically chosen to coincide with 2021 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day wherein there will be a presentation by Josephine Olunaike, a Sickle Cell Warrior and founder of Beuleh Sickle Cell Foundation on the theme: Sickle Cell Disorder Awareness.
Other highlights of the book presentation include book review, counselling as well as launching by invited guests at the occasion.
Expected guests include: Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline K. Tallen; Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM); Alhaji Abdulkabir Aliu, Managing Director of Matrix Energy Limited; Justice Ajoke Adepoju of FCT High Court; and former MD of Media Trust Newspapers, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola.
The book, `I’m a Survivor’ gives detail information on management of SCD, attitudes and habits a warrior requires for living a productive life despite the challenges posed by the disorder.
Many tips are also given to parents, family members, friends and caregivers on how best they could be of help to warriors and lots more.
SCD is by far the commonest inherited blood disorder in the world with about 75 per cent of cases occurring in Africa.
Nigeria has the highest prevalence of SCD with about 40 million carriers of the trait and about 150,000 born every year with the diseases (WHO).
Speaking on the importance of the book, among other objectives, Mohammed said it seeks to check the increasing tide of sickle cell disorder and guide young couple how to raise a healthy family.
“One of my key projects to commemorate the book launch is enrolling 100 indigent Sickle Cell patients on the National Health Insurance Scheme. This will allow this vulnerable set of people to have access to health care for their precarious health condition,” he said.
