Mrs Otti rolls out N12.5 million grant, health insurance for sickle cell warriors, persons with albinism
Mrs Otti rolls out N12.5 million grant, health insurance for sickle cell warriors, persons with albinism
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has rolled out cash support and health insurance enrollment for persons living with sickle cell condition and albinism in the State.
Mrs. Otti spoke on Friday during the Care and Fair Outreach Day organized by the Safe Tent Care Initiative in Umuahia, with the theme of care, inclusion and dignity.
The First Lady recalled that she met with representatives of the communities in January where she listened to their concerns and assured them of support.
“Today is not our first encounter. Today reinforces something I want you to know we are here for you and we intend to remain here for you,” she said.
Mrs. Otti acknowledged Ambassador Dr. Jake Epelle, Founder and CEO of Albinism Foundation Africa for transforming his personal experience with albinism into years of purposeful advocacy for disability inclusion in healthcare, education, economic opportunity, governance and political participation.
She also commended Epelle’s work in electoral inclusion, noting that the foundation observed the recently concluded governorship election and continued to promote participation of persons with disabilities.
“An election should never be merely about who wins office. Ultimately, democracy itself must win. Democracy is strengthened when citizens can participate freely, when their choices are respected, and when institutions act with integrity,” she said.
She thanked Epelle and others committed to strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.
According to Mrs. Otti, the philosophy of Safe Tent Care Initiative is anchored on three words: Community, Consistency, Collaboration.
“Community because we must listen to the people we seek to serve. Persons living with sickle cell condition need access to appropriate and regular healthcare, counselling, referrals and continuity of care.
“Persons living with albinism require skincare and sun protection, regular eye examination and vision support, health education and timely medical attention. We must also confront stigma and barriers to the opportunity,” she explained.
she announced that in addition to health services provided at the outreach, each beneficiary would receive N50,000 as immediate support, but the more sustainable intervention is the facilitation of their enrollment into the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme.
“Because after the photographs have been taken, after the chairs have been removed and everybody has gone home, life continues and so must the support,” she said.
The Abia first Lady noted that the Initiative will not duplicate what government health institutions are already equipped to provide, but will partner with them to identify, refer and link persons in need to appropriate services, whether eye and vision care, continued sickle cell care or specialist attention.
Mrs. Otti stressed that the communities will also be included in skill acquisition, livelihood and economic empowerment programmes.
“You are not defined by a medical condition. You have talents, dreams, businesses to build, careers to pursue, and families to support.
“We must move beyond asking only, What can we give you today?’ We must also ask, ‘What opportunity can help you become stronger and more economically independent tomorrow?’ So our commitment is simple: health for today, a pathway for tomorrow,” she said.
She thanked the Ministry of Health, health, partnes, her team at the Office of the Wife of the Governor, partners and volunteers, and saluted the sickle cell warriors and persons living with albinism.
“The most impactful outreach is one whose benefits continue long after the event is over. May what we do here today continue to make a difference long after this event is over,” she added.
In a remark the Commissioner for Health in the state Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya-Uche, said the state government has moved two long-neglected medical conditions sickle cell disease and albinism from the background to the front burner of public healthcare.
He said the First Lady’s initiative has brought the state to the cusp of history by highlighting conditions long relegated to the corner by society.
“The Safe Tent Care Initiative has brought us to the cusp of history by bringing out two salient medical conditions that have been reserved to the back corner by society. But in her own way, Her Excellency is bringing their condition and their needs to the front board.
“This shows that this government is inclusive and she is someone who looks out for people who may have been forgotten by the eyes of society,” the Commissioner said
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, also commended the governor’s wife for showing care to groups and urged them to use the opportunity provided by her to access better medical care.
The event featured health talk for the sickle cell warriors and persons with albinism by a Consultant Pediatrician with the Federal Medical center Umuahia Dr. Mildred Izuka and the head Abia State Eyes Management Bureau Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi.