Jeph: On trail of cure for sickle cell
He was born on June 28 2001, weighing 2.8 kg and by the time he was six months old, he was diagnosed with the sickle cell anaemia. From then, the struggle for survival began. And though for 15 years and eight months, he was permanently going in and out of hospital, he was determined to fight the illness to a standstill. However, on February 4 2017, he finally succumbed to the cold hands of death after sadly telling his mother he could no longer bear the pain. That is the story of Jephthah Aireankhue Setonji Ivan Ohiomokhare, one of the many Nigerian children, who have had to contend with the pains associated with sickle-cell anaemia. Jeph, as fondly called by her mother, was different from other sickle cell sufferers. Unlike the usual lean physical frame, weak bones and sometimes protruding stomach, Jephthah was stronger than usual. He could engage his mates in arms wrestling, walk on his arms, lift weight and would not tolerate being exempted from endurance trek an