Why Genetics Professor, Cyril Otoikhian Thinks ”Investing in a sickle celled child is a waste” | Sufferers React
In commemoration of the World Sickle Cell day on June 20th, a professor of Genetics, Cyril Otoikhian, was invited to speak on the ailment and how it can be managed since there is no cure.
In a frank but brutal manner, professor Otoikhian, who is also the founder of “Stop Sickle Cell in Africa,” described the disease as a death sentence for sufferers.
In a chat on Your View, a Television Continental (TVC) live programme this morning, Prof. Otoikhian dismissed the hope of cure or effective management of the disease, saying the disease is a curse.
”The death sentence is from both parents who are AS and SS and still go ahead to get married,” he said.
When asked how parents with children that have the ailment can invest and manage them, the professor said that the management of sickle cell is far beyond the reach of most Nigerians. He described such management efforts as a waste.
”Investing in a sickle celled child is like loading your money into a sachet and you are in a moving car, you throw the money away. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder.
I am a professor of genetics and we know right from time even till tomorrow that genetic disorder are not reversible,” he said.
The Professor from Novena University, Ogume Delta state also dismissed the notion that the disease affects mainly the black race, saying other races only succeeded in preventing the disease through enlightenment and realistic approach which is lacking in the black race.
He disclosed that his foundation is working towards creating awareness amongst that sickle cell anaemia is irreversible or curable and that the only solution is for people with AS genotype not to marry spouses with SS genotype.
He did not see any reason to mark the World Sickle Cell day either.
“What is there to celebrate,” he remarked asking why anyone would want to celebrate a disease that inflicts so much pain and anguish on sufferers.
”This morning I saw a post on Facebook that read ‘Sickle cell is not a curse. It is not a timebomb’. Forget it, Sickle cell is a curse.”
READ ALSO: A Sickle Cell Survivor at Age 90! Asiata Adupe’s Story is Truly Inspirational
However, his views didn’t go well with Nigerians, especially people living with sickle cell anaemia.
A caller to the programme identified as Annette told him he was being insensitive and stigmatising sickle cell sufferers. Contrary to the Professor’s view, the caller said the World Sickle Cell Day was being marked to celebrate the sufferers.
“We are celebrating people. We are celebrating life,” she said.
Some Sickle cell sufferers have also reacted angrily to the Professor’s views on social media. One of them, @eseodekaikpe on twitter lamented:
”Your guest has made me weep today. I won’t forget all he said about me and all living with sickle cell. I curse him and his useless foundation.”
John Jibogu remarked in a series of tweets said,
”Correction: Sickle cell disease is not a curse… Is he by any means implying that investing in a sickle cell child is a waste? This same man will want his children to do whatever it takes to keep him alive when he falls ill at 70.
Every human life especially kids, is precious no matter the circumstance. So what do you do with the child Prof.? Sickle cell disease is not a cause and it’s not a dead sentence. SC can now be cured through improvement in tech.
SC arose through gene mutation, yes education is necessary but still it’s based on probability. SC is now well managed and govt should focus on management of SC.
Your view is very ignorant and insensitive. In the future TVC should approach the Sickle Cell Society, Nigeria to send a representative to your program instead of someone who calls himself a professor and yet (is) ignorant about Sickle Cell,” he further said.
He is very ignorant and a ‘curse to Nigeria’, ignore what he said and keep strong. You are God’s creation, born with a mission, purpose and destiny. I am a Fellow warrior. ????????. Keep strong, you are a survivor.”
