A book detailing the personal experience of a sickle cell patient is set for launch and public presentation tomorrow, Saturday June 19, 2021 at the Merit House, Maitama, in Abuja by 10am.
The book, entitled, I’m A Survivor: The Story of My Triumph Over Sickle Cell Pains, by Shehu Olaitan Mohammed, a 55-year-old Chartered Accountant, chronicling his lifelong story as a sickle cell patient.
A preliminary commentary of a review of I’m A Survivor, being done for publication in the National Record, described Mohammed’s book as “an insightful and compelling narrative, a painful and uncertain but courageous odyssey of fate moderated by faith and devotion to God.”
A statement by Mr Mohammed the date for the launch and presentation of the book was chosen deliberately “to coincide with 2021 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
At the book launch ceremony, a presentation on the theme: “Sickle Cell Disorder Awareness,” would be made by the founder of Beuleh Sickle Cell Foundation, Josephine Olunaike, described by Mr Mohammed as “a sickle cell warrior.”
Other activities at the event include review of the book, counselling on sickle cell disorder as well as launching of the book by invited guests.
Mohammed, who retired from Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspaper, as General Manager in 2018, said his objective of documenting his experience is to, among other things “check the increasing tide of sickle cell disorder and guide young couples how to raise a healthy family.”
Speaking on the book as well as sickle cell disorder, Mohammed said: “The book, I’m A Survivor, gives detailed information on management of SCD [sickle cell disorder], attitudes and habits a warrior requires for living a productive life despite the challenges posed by the disorder.
“Many tips are also given to parents, family members, friends and caregivers on how best they could be of help to warriors and lots more.
“SCD is by far the commonest inherited blood disorder in the world with about 75 per cent of cases occurring in Africa.
“Nigeria has the highest prevalence of SCD with about 40 Million carriers of the trait and about 150,000 born every year with the diseases (WHO).”
Mohammed said as part of the key projects to commemorate the book launch, he will be enrolling one hundred (100) indigent sickle cell patients on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which he said “will allow this vulnerable set of people to have access to health care for their precarious health condition.”
Guests expected to grace the book launch include the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Alhaji Abdulkabir Aliu, Managing Director of Matrix Energy Limited, Justice Ajoke Adepoju of FCT High Court and former Managing Director of Media Trust Newspapers, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola.
Commentary from preliminary review
A preliminary commentary of a review of I’m A Survivor, being done for publication in the National Record, described Mohammed’s book as “an insightful and compelling narrative, a painful and uncertain but courageous odyssey of fate moderated by faith and devotion to God.”
The preliminary review also noted that “the story is not only Mohammed’s; it is also the story of his parents, his brothers and all who directly or remotely experience the agony or trauma of sickle cell disorder. It is a peep into the broader society and the diverse idiosyncrasies and mind-sets towards sickle cell patients.”
