Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) held The Maiden Meeting of Mothers of Warriors in Action (MoWA). The Theme of
the meeting was Shining the light on Sickle Cell Disease: The Mothers of
Warriors in Action (MoWA) and the title “Advancing Care of People Living with
Sickle Cell Disease (PLWSCD) and reducing the burden on Mothers as Caregivers
of People Living With Sickle Cell Disease”
The
meeting was a hybrid format comprising of both physical and virtual
participation of attendees held at APEX Event Centre in Agodi, Ibadan, Nigeria
on Wednesday 27th September, 2023.
The
meeting was a special discourse of Mothers of Warriors Challenges and Sickle
Cell Disease, implications and solutions. Speakers and Panelists at the
meetings included: Professor Adeyinka Falusi FAS, FAMedS, a Professor of
Haematology and Genetics, The Founder & Trustee of Sickle Cell Hope Alive
Foundation, Mrs. Lovet Oladele, Mrs. Yemisi Iwayemi, Professor Olaitan Soyannwo,
Director, Centre for Palliative Care, Nigeria, Dr. Mobolaji M. Salawu – Public
Health Physician/Epidemiologist, Dr. O. Kotila, Pharmacist and SCHAF Resource
Person, Mr. Abayomi Odetunde - Director of Operations, Sickle Cell Hope Alive
Foundation, and some fathers of Warriors served as panelists at the events.
The
meeting was attended by women in business, traders, and some professionals in
the community. Stimulating and engaging discourse was used to enumerate their
challenges and how these challenges continue to be resolved. An indebt
questionnaire methodology was also applied to further tease out more
undisclosed challenges they face daily on their wards living with Sickel Cell
Disease.
SCHAF
encouraged the mothers to keep hope alive and remain relentless in the fight
against Sickle Cell Disease and continue to do their best for their children
despite the financial burden of SCD. Most costs are paid out of pocket in
Nigeria with the highest burden of SCD in the world while support for
insurance, medical and financial facilities are least accessible.
Alhaja
Asiata Aduke Onikoyi-Laguda from Lagos who lived up to a ripe old age of 95
years was cited to show that Sickle Cell Disease is not a death sentence. Professor
Falusi reiterated the Foundation's commitment to supporting mothers as
caregivers to alleviate the pain of their children. Sickle Cell Hope Alive
Foundation hopes to continually source medication for them and empower the
mothers financially, emotionally and psychologically demonstrating to them that
they are not alone in their struggles.
Speaking further, she said the Foundation, in alignment with her vision
to reduce the burden of Sickle Cell Disease, will continue to support the
Warriors and their Caregivers as best as possible.
Professor
Falusi gave a 10 point advice while addressing the mothers on the care of their
wards
1. Adequate
hydration with optimal water intake daily.
2. Availability
of thermometers as necessary facility in their homes for accurate evaluation of
fevers. The provision of Thermometers to all who needed one (a sizeable
proportion of the mothers) was made possible at the venue by the Sickle Cell
Hope Alive Foundation.
3. Provision
of balanced nutritional diet with protein, fruits, and vegetables for their
children.
4. Keeping
the appointments of their wards as demanded by their physicians who can pick up
some yet upcoming infections or impending anaemia.
5. Strict
compliance of Warriors with their own prescription and never copying or using
the medication of others.
6. Use
of Supplements as thyme, Garlic etc. will help either as microbial or
antifungal agents to ward off infections.
7.
Smoking,
Alcohol should not be tolerated from and no copycat behaviors. Avoid these
vices.
8.
Get
immunized, vaccinated as appropriate.
9.
Pain
management differs in different individuals. Assess triggers, encourage
relaxation, exercise, heat therapy, stress levels, emotional, psychological,
financial, resting, adequate sleep, encourage meditation.,
10. Support system: A strong support network of
understanding friends and families to improve their communication skills to
voice out their challenges to prevent isolation and frustration.
Indepth interviews was coordinated by Dr. Salawu
while other panelists prayed and encouraged Mothers on medical, emotional,
psychological aspects. Priapism cases came to the fore front as a major
challenge and therapeutic intervention was well discussed.
Fathers in attendance spoke at length to encourage
other fathers not to abandon the mothers to the burden of Sickle Cell Disease.