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From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
The House of Representatives has called on the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole rehabilitate the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Stem Cell Transplantation Centre without delay.
The House also mandated the Committee on Health Institutions to look into the matter and report to the House within four weeks.
This followed the adoption of motion raised under matters of urgent public importance by Philip Shaibu (Edo-APC. Leading the debate, Shaibu explained that stem cell transplant has been identified as a cure for sickle cell anemia, a disease which Nigeria has the highest prevalence rate globally.
“Nigeria has the highest number of persons living with sickle cell disease in the world and the only cure for this debilitating disease is Stem Cell Transplantation,” he said.
He further explained that the medical procedure was also the cure for blood cancer, bone marrow disease and other malignant and non malignant diseases.
He explained that in September 2011, with limited resources and basic technique within approved standard required by WHO, a Nigerian doctor, Prof Bazuaye Nosakhare and his team performed the first successful stem cell transplantation.
However, he expressed regret that since 2011 only three successful stem cell transplantation had been performed at the centre.
The house, therefore, called on the minister to place as high priority, the upgrade of the UBTH Stem Cell Transplant Centre.
The house also called on the government at all levels to see the urgent need to subsidise the cost of transplantation in Nigeria to enable affordability.
