EIGHT MILLION NAIRA EASTER MIRACLE: DR. FASAWE TRANSFORMS LIVES OF SICKLE CELL CHILDREN IN FCT
By: Vivian Ademoye
What began as an unplanned hospital visit on Easter Sunday 2025 has grown into a life-changing intervention for children living with sickle cell disease across Abuja.
Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, stumbled upon a troubling scene during a surprise stop at Nyanya General Hospital. Inside the paediatric ward, she found that the majority of admitted children were battling severe sickle cell crises.
According to Dr. Favour Awele Onah, who was on duty that day, the visit was unexpected. What followed, however, was immediate action. Dr. Fasawe stepped in to assist a child in intense pain and quickly noticed a pattern, most of the children showed signs of sickle cell complications, including jaundice.
Realizing the scale of the problem, she reached out to a friend, a sickle cell survivor, who instantly provided financial support for treatment, medications, and basic needs for the affected families.
Determined to create lasting change, Dr. Fasawe returned on Easter Monday this year, bringing not just encouragement but tangible support. She donated a total of ₦8 million raised through her network to support the children she fondly calls her “Champions.”
Her intervention went beyond financial aid. After identifying a major gap, the lack of Hydroxyurea, a critical drug for managing sickle cell disease in FCT hospitals, she took decisive steps. Within months, she facilitated its procurement and ensured its availability across general hospitals and primary health centres in the territory.
The results have been remarkable and Parents like Khadija Auwal now see a different future for their children. Her daughter, once frequently hospitalised, has not required a blood transfusion since starting Hydroxyurea.
Others, like schoolteacher Ogechi Okey, reported drastic reductions in hospital visits for her three children living with the condition.
For many families, the change feels nothing short of transformational. Children who once lived in constant pain are now healthier, stronger, and able to dream again.
Dr. Fasawe has also used her platform to advocate for prevention, urging Nigerians to know their genotype before marriage. Health officials have echoed her call, encouraging enrollment in health insurance schemes and strict adherence to treatment plans.
Her actions have sparked hope among families who once felt overwhelmed by the disease. Today, the message from Nyanya General Hospital is clear: with the right care, access to medication, and committed leadership, children with sickle cell disease can live full and thriving lives.
“SS will not win,” one mother declared with renewed confidence.
