… 24 years on, the Awosika Family launches health project in son’s memory to assist SCWs
Saturday August 12 would have been his 43rd birthday. Temitayo Awosika would probably have done what his family did on his behalf: the Awosikas rallied round Sickle Cell Warriors to help cushion the negative effects of harsh economic and financial realities in Africa’s most populous nation and the world’s highest SCD-endemic country. Cognizant that increasing healthcare costs would negatively impact Warriors, the Foundation memorializing Temitayo Awosika rolled out Project FHP 100 on August 13, exactly 24 years after his demise.
Temitayo Awosika Help Foundation (TAHF) was established in 1999, few months after the family suffered the devastating loss of a beloved child. Ever since, TAHF has relentlessly pursued its vision of giving hope and succour to SCWs and the poor in society. Where many families would buckle and probably back out in ‘revenge’ against a condition that took away their loved one, the Awosikas turned their full attention to SCD, bearing its financial burden and providing a spiritual, emotional and psychological shoulder for Warriors to lean on.
‘With timely medical intervention devoid of worry about finances, this TAHF initiative will help save and prolong the lives of Warriors.’
Dr. Sola Adebekun, Executive Secretary, TAHF
‘We will do everything within our means to develop and procure effective medications and supplements to manage sickle cell,’ pledged Dr. Mrs. Dere Awosika, MFR, mni, Temitayo’s mum, at the occasion.
A fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy, Dr. Mrs. Awosika gained decades of experience in public administration, banking and finance, which comes handy in a country beset with health policy administration issues. Over the years, she meritoriously served the country along the lines of her expertise.
On his part, Temitayo’s dad and TAHF’s Founder, Dr. Olubayode Awosika, encouraged Warriors to vigorously pursue their ambition, noting that they were not in any way disadvantaged by SCD.
‘Take your medications as prescribed, stay well-hydrated, take a break as necessary, but never lose sight of your dreams.’
Dr. Awosika praised men who stood by their wives in looking after their children, especially those with a health challenge (of the nearly 300 attendees, only 3 were fathers, a phenomenon Dr. Awosika has had occasion to comment on over and over again).
There are exceptions, as they say, to every rule in life.
Dr. Awosika singled out a recurrent male face that presents itself at practically every TAHF event: Alhaji Waheed Ade Tijani. Alhaji Tijani, 81, lost his 19 year-old son, Sodiq Tijani, to SCD complications, yet he remained steadfast to SCD advocacy. He travels 60 kilometres to and from his Sango Otta, Ogun State dwelling place to Ogudu, Lagos State, towing along as many Warriors as would go with him, to attend TAHF gatherings.
Hundreds of SCWs smiled home with health insurance e-cards for their use whenever crises looms or barges in unannounced.
Dr. Ṣọlá Adebekun, TAHF’s Executive Secretary, cherished Temitayo Awosika as a caring and compassionate human being, whose ideals the organization will unflaggingly strive to bring to reality.
The Project FHP 100 For SCWs comes with free comprehensive outpatient treatment. For those on admission, it includes free accommodation, infusions and professional services.
‘Take your medications as prescribed, stay well-hydrated, take a break as necessary, but never lose sight of your dreams.’
Dr. Olubayode Awosika, Founder, TAHF
‘With timely medical intervention devoid of worry about finances, this TAHF initiative will help save and prolong the lives of Warriors,’ says Dr. Adebekun.
The FHP 100 health insurance scheme is the result of TAHF’s collaboration with Med-In Specialist Hospital and Access Bank PLC.
