Veteran Actress Monalisa Chinda-Coker and Ejike Asiegbu. (Right).
Arise Monalisa Foundation has raised alarm over the increasing cases of Lupus disease in the country.
Lupus is a disease that occurs when one’s body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease).
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Founder of Arise Monalisa Foundation, A veteran and multi-award-winning actress, Monalisa Chinda-Coker said Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidney, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
Mrs Chinda-Coker explained that the media briefing was organised to intensify efforts at building viable partnerships and collaborations with international organisations and governments against the disease.
She affirmed that the foundation would establish testing centres across the country to enable Nigerians to ascertain their lupus status.
“The case of Jacqueline Achu is one in so many, her story prompted the foundation to work on a database on lupus cases, there is an existing community which has grown rapidly from five known cases to about 35”.
May 10 has been dedicated by the World Lupus Federation as World Lupus Day to bring greater attention and resources to efforts aimed at ending the suffering caused by this disabling and potentially fatal autoimmune disease.
A medical Doctor, Thelma Adaku, of Zenith Medical Centre said despite the danger Lupus possesses, the disease has no cure. “It is a serious illness that if not treated on time will destroy everything in your body.”
Chairman, Arise Monalisa Foundation and a veteran Actor, Mr Ejike Asiegbu stressed the need for more support to take the campaign against the disease to every nook and cranny of the country.
Reporting by Daniel Adejo; editing by Muzha Kucha.