Sickle Cell Foundation Partners LUTH On Bone Marrow Trans plant

The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), has partnered Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), to establish bone marrow transplant (BMT), for effective treatment for sickle cell disorder (SCD), patients.

Speaking at the press conference yesterday, at Idi-Araba, Lagos, the Founder of the foundation Prof. Olu Akinyanju, said the foundation was established 30 years ago as an entity to address all aspects of sickle cell disease, from advocacy, training and research to prevention, treatment, care and support.

He explained that foundation is eager to bring the cure for the disorder to Nigerians in Nigeria, the foundation partnered with the Mediterranean Institute of Haematology (IME) in Rome.

He stated that this collaboration enabled 50 Nigerian children with SCD to undergo free successful bone marrow transplants in Italy. Unfortunately, this partnership was discontinued in 2015 due to funding constraints in Rome.

Akinyanju noted that in this October 2024, SCFN has achieved a historic breakthrough by completing the first-of-its-kind Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) in Nigeria and West Africa, using advanced technology and expertise. In partnership with LUTH, as it established a state-of-the-art, advanced technology Bone Marrow Transplant Centre in Lagos. With the passion to lead global efforts in reducing the burden of sickle cell disorder, ensuring that affected individuals can live healthy life, pain free and fulfilling lives.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the foundation Dr. Annette Akinsete, said the foundation partnered with LUTH because Nigeria is the sickle disorder capital of the world with the aim to address these pressing needs.

She said the foundation is committed in treatment of sickle cell especially for children living with disease by making sure that they do not have infections because it is infections that kill sickle cell children before the age of five.

She said that genetic counseling is also a key in preventing sickle cell because it is not every sickle cell patient is eligible medically, to undergo bone marrow transplant treatment. “It is also expensive because it is not every patient that can afford the bone marrow transplant”.

The Chairman Board of Directors Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Chief Tunde Afolabi, said the partnership aimed to address sickle cell burden in Nigeria.

He stated that sickle cell disorder remains a significant public health problem globally, affecting nearly 100 million people and accounting for over 50 per cent of deaths among those with the most severe form of the disease.

He said in Sub-Sahara Africa where approximately 70 per cent of sickle births occur, inadequate management has led to a high mortality rate before the age of five.

He said in Nigeria, 150,000 babies are born annually with sickle celland over 100,000 die before their fifth birthday. “In addition, an estimated 50 million people carry the sickle cell trait and are at risk of passing the disorder to their offspring. With average life expectancy of individuals in Nigeria living with sickle cell at only 20 years, the need for access to effective treatment and cure has never been more urgent”.

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The Public Relation Lead, SCFN, Caleb Audu, said the bone marrow transplant ground-breaking procedure marks a new era in healthcare for persons living with sickle cell disease in Nigeria, reducing the need for expensive medical tourism and providing accessible, life-saving treatment to thousands of Nigerians affected by the disorder. As Nigeria holds the world’s largest population of persons with sickle cell disorder, this groundbreaking achievement underscores the country’s significant role in leading the charge to address this global health issue.