100 sickle cell patients get free NHIS enrolment

No fewer than 100 sickle cell patients have been shortlisted for enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme, facilitated by the Dotun Oladipupo Foundation for Sickle Cell.

The president of the foundation, Oladotun Oladipupo, disclosed this during the foundation’s 15th anniversary held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday.

Oladipupo said his personal experience as a sickle cell patient informed his decision to facilitate the enrolment, adding that the cost of treatment of the disease has become unbearable due to the economic situation.

He noted that the free NHIS enrolment was aimed at reducing the financial burden that sickle cell patients face in accessing appropriate treatment.

Oladipupo said, “Sickle cell is a personal experience for me. Over the years, I have been able to see beyond my own challenges.

“I am excited today because 100 people will be enrolled in the NHIS for the next five years, which I think is the essence of living and impacting others.

“I have lived with sickle cell all my life, and I understand the challenges, especially in the aspect of finances. This enrolment will be a great relief to their financial burden because the treatment of sickle cell is expensive and can be very complex.”

He urged the government to declare the disease a national emergency to prioritise healthcare support for sickle cell patients.

“I appeal to the government to put policies in place that will enhance the care of sickle cell patients and also to declare sickle cell a public health concern so they can pay more attention to the disorder.

“I also urge intending couples to ensure they know their genotype before embarking on marriage because when the crisis of sickle cell strikes, love will not be enough,” Oladipupo added.

In her remarks, the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended the foundation for securing NHIS enrolment for 100 sickle cell patients.

Salako-Oyedele stressed that sickle cell disease often poses mental and emotional challenges to families and carriers.

The deputy governor called for support for sickle cell patients, adding that stigmatisation and discrimination should be discouraged.

She continued, “Pain management remains one of the biggest challenges for our warriors. Too many still endure pain, and the emotional toll on families is immense. We must find a way to ensure warriors are not left to suffer, while also protecting them from unnecessary exposure and addiction.

“The anxiety, depression, and isolation that many warriors face must no longer be treated as secondary. Psychological support is essential to quality sickle cell care.

“We must also confront bullying, stereotyping, and stigma. Too many warriors face discrimination at school and even within their community. We all have a responsibility to change the narrative, to speak up, and to educate others.”

She concluded that the state government would work on the deliberations of the event to improve its policy on sickle cell management.

Also speaking, the financier of the NHIS enrolment, Bola Akindele, said the support became necessary after he realised the financial burden required to care for sickle cell patients.

He added that the challenges faced by patients motivated him to support the beneficiaries while calling for a policy framework to address sickle cell care.

One of the beneficiaries, Wale Tokunbo, said the scheme would help ease the financial burden of treatment.

He thanked the foundation for the initiative and called on other individuals with the financial capacity to emulate the gesture.