The Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) has called for improved access to essential and life-saving drugs for financially vulnerable individuals living with sickle cell disorder.

The organisation made the call while donating vital sickle cell treatment drugs to support indigent patients at the Sickle Cell Clinic of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano State.

Led by its Health Programme Officer, Alhaji Ubale Rano, and Barrister Umar Umar, the dRPC team handed over the drugs to the clinic’s management on Monday in Kano.

“This donation underscores the urgent need to sustain mechanisms that promote the welfare and survival of sickle cell patients, many of whom struggle to afford critical medication,” Rano said.

He noted that the drugs would be dispensed strictly based on prescriptions from the clinic and targeted specifically at financially vulnerable patients.

In a communiqué signed by the Director of Partnerships, Development and Communication, Hassan Karofi, the centre said the initiative was part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare and survival rates of sickle cell patients.

The donation included 22 packs of Aceclofenac 100, 16 packs of Folic Acid, and 40 packs of Lonart DS, aimed at improving treatment and care for patients who depend on lifelong medication.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Sickle Cell Clinic, Mrs. Sadiya Abdulqadir, expressed gratitude to the dRPC team, describing the donation as a timely intervention.

“Most of our patients cannot afford their medication, and our staff often contributes from their own salaries to help them,” she said.

Since 2023, the dRPC has been providing material and technical assistance to the Sickle Cell Foundation and expressed optimism that the latest donation will further strengthen ongoing efforts to improve the welfare and survival of sickle cell patients in Kano State.