Lagos govt moves to reduce sickle cell disease burden

The Lagos State government has announced plans to establish haematology daycare centres across all local governments, enabling sickle cell patients to receive immediate, specialised care during crises.

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Sickle cell crisis is an acute, painful episode and other serious complications that occur in people with sickle cell disease.

The State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, stated this during a harmonisation meeting with foundations and NGOs working in the sickle cell sector on Thursday.

Mr Abayomi recalled that the state built 10 oxygen triage centres during COVID-19, some of which could be converted into facilities for sickle cell management.

The commissioner observed that one in four Nigerians carried the sickle cell gene, with two to three per cent living with the full-blown disease.

He explained that the persistence of the gene had historic roots linked to malaria but stressed that with Lagos already winning the fight against malaria, deliberate steps must now be taken to reduce the sickle cell burden.

Mr Abayomi emphasised that the government is keen on reducing the genetic burden through informed counselling for couples while promoting advances in research and treatment.

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He pointed out that Lagos had opportunities to extend insurance coverage to sickle cell patients through the State Health Scheme, ensuring access to life-saving interventions such as hydroxyurea.

Hydroxyurea is a medicine used to prevent painful episodes and reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients with sickle cell anaemia. It works by making the red blood cells more flexible.

The commissioner pledged that the soon-to-be-completed Massey Specialist Children’s Hospital would be developed into a hub for sickle cell research and advanced care, including hydroxyurea therapy, gene therapy, and stem cell transplantation.

Mr Abayomi emphasised the urgent need for coordinated action to tackle sickle cell disease, describing it as one of the most pressing public health challenges in Lagos and Nigeria.

The commissioner noted that while the number of sickle cell focused associations had increased to about 25 in Lagos, scattered efforts without alignment risk limiting real impact.

He stressed the importance of developing a coalition strategy document with clear targets and timelines for collaborative implementation.

Similarly, Abosede Wellington, the Lagos State Sickle Cell Disorder Control Programme Coordinator, underscored the scale of the burden.

Ms Wellington cited Nigeria’s 40 million carriers and 150,000 new cases annually, making it the global epicentre for sickle cell disease.

She lamented that SCD contributes to nine per cent of under-five deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, with Lagos bearing a significant share.

She highlighted the state’s strategic pillars of advocacy, awareness, screening, treatment, and research.

“Since 2021, newborn screening has expanded to 75 health facilities, with over 7,600 babies screened and more than 280 positive cases referred for care, averting severe outcomes for families.”

Ms Wellington further revealed that more than 500 health workers have been trained in newborn screening and crisis management, while collaborations with NGOs and international partners have improved service delivery.

She, however, cautioned that funding gaps, patient follow-up, and workforce retention remain key challenges.

She called for intensified community sensitisation, sustainable financing mechanisms, and the completion of a comprehensive state sickle cell registry.

She stressed that only through robust data, partnerships, and policy-driven interventions can Lagos effectively manage the disease and reduce its devastating impact.

Also speaking, Timi Edwin, Chairperson of the Coalition and CEO of CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative, described the high number of births with sickle cell disease annually as unacceptable.

Ms Edwin appealed for equity in access to healthcare, stressing that hydroxyurea, though a proven therapy, remains scarce and expensive for many patients.

She commended the state government for plans to establish sickle cell clinics but urged stronger collaboration on funding, including co-writing grants and engaging the private sector through corporate social responsibility investments.

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According to her, sickle cell is not only a health challenge, but a development and human dignity issue linked with poverty and productivity losses.

Ms Edwin pledged that the coalition would remain accountable, submitting reports and engaging with the state regularly.

She emphasised the importance of partnerships, especially with schools, hospitals, and pharmaceutical firms, to expand genotype testing, early detection, and affordable treatment options.

(NAN)