The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) is collaborating with the state health ministry to offer free health insurance to children with sickle cell disorder.

Simeon Onyemaechi, ASHIA managing director, said this during the registration of no fewer than 20 children living with sickle cell disorder in his office in Awka on Tuesday.

Mr Onyemaechi said managing sickle cell could be financially draining for parents and adults who are sickle cell patients.

“The agency is happy to lend a helping hand in shouldering the financial burden associated with managing the health challenges of sickle cell disorder.

“ASHIA will continue to support children living with sickle cell disorder in the state,” he said.

Earlier, Aisha Edward-Maduagwu, the director of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home in Agulu, described sickle cell disorder as a genetic disorder that causes a mishap in the shape of the red blood cell.

She said this gave it a sickle shape, and the disruption in the shape was responsible for many complications associated with the disorder.

According to the director, due to the complications of sickle cell disorder, people living with sickle cell require constant care, which involves an excessive financial cost.

Ms Edward-Maduagwu stated that managing sickle cell disease requires routine drugs, frequent medical checkups, routine blood tests, emergency hospitalisations for painful crises, and other health issues.

“This is why health insurance is required to support the management of this disorder. We appreciate the state governor, the state commissioner for health and Dr Simeon Onyemaechi for their magnanimity towards children with special needs.

“We also urge the government to continue to pay more attention to the sickle cell orphanage home as more children need assistance to keep living,” Ms Edward-Maduagwu said.

(NAN)