Lagos – Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday said the completion of the Bone Marrow Transplant Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) would go a long way in saving lives.
Ambode spoke when the Chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Prof. Olu Akinyanju and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mrs Anneite Akinsete, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He commended the foundation for intervening and providing succour to sufferers of sickle cell in Nigeria.
Ambode said he was optimistic that the establishment of the centre would be a major breakthrough and go a long way in saving lives of those with sickle cell disorder.
He said that the state government would provide support in line with the cardinal programmes of his administration to touch as many lives as possible.
“I want to say that I am surrounded by people who have sickle cell disorder, so I understand the depth of what you are doing.
“In my private life, I have also tried to touch lives, but again I want to commit officially here that we would support the establishment of that Bone Marrow Stem Cell Technology, even though it’s in LUTH.
“As part of our own contribution, we will make sure that it takes off next year.
“The reason is very simple; we’ve already sent like five patients to Rome and they have come back.
“That technology has proven that we can go away from our past belief, always thinking that people with sickle cell are condemned to death.
“This new technology is a proof that we can save lives.
“As far as this is situated in Lagos, we as a government must ensure that everyone who visits that centre must be saved and we are committed to doing that,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambode was adopted as the Patron of the Sickle Cell Club, Lagos.
He thanked the foundation for deeming it fit to adopt him as Patron of the club.
Ambode said it was a great honour to be accorded the privilege to contribute his own quota to alleviate the sufferings of sickle cell victims.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Earlier, Akinyanju said the visit to Ambode was to commemorate his adoption as Patron of the club.
He said it was also to solicit for continued partnership and support of the state government, which would go a long way in helping victims of the disorder and their families. (NAN)