• 150,000 SCD babies born every year
By Doris Obinna
Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has claimed that Nigeria has the highest burden of sickle cell disorder (SCD) in the world, with over 40 million carriers of the sickle cell gene.
First chairman, SCFN, Prof. Olu Akinyanju, said, “An estimated 150,000 babies are born every year with SCD in the country. Two-thirds of them do not live to celebrate their fifth birthday.”
He spoke in Lagos during activities lined up in commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD). He said: “June 19 is a day designated by the United Nations to create global health awareness of all aspects of the disorder, which is the most common genetic blood disorder in the world.
“Government at all levels, the private sector, international organisations, persons with sickle cell and all actors should take action.
“SCFN has been in the forefront of the fight against SCD. The foundation works across the entire spectrum of research, prevention, treatment, care and even cure for sickle cell.
“The SCFN was established in 1994 to address the gaps that were evident in the control of sickle cell in Nigeria. The gaps include capacity building, research, policy development and implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation, are necessary for the sustained management and control of SCD.
“In addition to running dedicated sickle cell clinics embedded in state government hospitals, SCFN has over the years been providing free or highly subsidised services to persons living with sickle cell in Nigeria at its National Sickle Cell Centre.
“While stroke prevention for children with sickle cell, genetic counselling, psycho-social counselling, leg ulcers treatment, exchange blood transfusion and the coordination of sickle cell clubs among others.
“To ensure that Nigerians have access to cure for sickle cell and do not have to travel abroad to access cure, we have established a bone marrow transplant centre in Lagos.
“This is in partnership with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, USA, with support from Lagos State Government and charitable individuals.”
Chief executive officer, SCFN, Dr. Annette Akinsete, said the partnership with LUTH for the bone marrow was crucial as those with SCD would not have to travel outside the country to access the cure: “Early diagnosis of the SCD disease is key to prevention and ensuring that patients live normal lives.”
Member, board of directors, SCFN, and president, Sickle Cell Champions Club, Mr. Funso Sobande, disclosed that the “club is to assist persons with sickle cell live normal lives in areas of social activities while its main function is to create awareness as well as raise funds for SCFN.”
Activities lined up to by the foundation to celebrate the WSCD include schools’ quiz with 26 senior secondary school students in the state; the Red Umbrella Charity Walk for SCD and mini blood donation drive holding on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Surulere Local Government Area secretariat/headquarters, respectively.
Also, there will be a public lecture on WSDC, with the theme “Sickle cell disorder is not a death sentence,” which is the flagship for the WSCD on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.