Awareness needed to curb sickle cell anemia, says Anambra YPP Guber candidate, Paul Chukwuma

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By Madu Obi

The governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State election, Sir Paul Chukwuma has called for collective action through awareness, to combat sickle cell anemia in the country.

Recounting his encounter with sickle cell anemia, Chukwuma said he lost a brother, Hyginus Chidalu Chukwuma, to the disease.

“I am often reminded of my brother, Hyginus Chukwuma who suffered from sickle cell. Many of us have a close family member or friend who has suffered from sickle cell. This is why we should no longer accept this as a verdict of nature.

Joint effort is required to be able to confine sickle cell to the dustbin of history. To be able to stop sickle cell, we must jointly stamp out the scourge of ignorance that enables parents to give birth to children before they ascertain their genotype,” he said.

Chukwuma was represented at the ceremony by the YPP deputy governorship candidate, Uzu Okagbue, at the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Anaocha local government area, to commemorate the World Sickle Cell Day.

The YPP governorship candidate, however, stressed that sickle cell is not a death sentence, and encouraged those living with it to live fully and see the disorder as just one of life’s challenges.

“It is just one of those challenges of life, and every one of us has a fair share of life’s challenges. But we can end it and we will end it.

We must do more than philanthropy. We will ensure that these children live to the fullest. We will be part of this journey. I am convinced beyond doubt that we can put an end to this,” he said.

He called on the government, communities, Churches and individuals to commit to end sickle cell in the society.

In her remarks, the Director of the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Aisha Edward Maduagwu, commended Governor Soludo and his wife, Nonye, for their consistent support to the home.

She also thanked Sir Paul Chukwuma for his constant support, generosity, and gift of an ambulance to the home.