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The Nigeria Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NSBHT), Hemophilia Care team and Novo Nordisk Hemophiliac Foundation, have called on the government to address hemophilia related deaths in Nigeria.
They made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, when they paid courtesy visit to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
Hemophilia, a genetic bleeding disorder, affects approximately 11,000 Nigerians, but only seven per cent has been diagnosed, leaving 93 per cent undiagnosed, and this has led to severe disability and early death.
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The team, led by Prof. Omolade Awodu, President, NSHBT, said that low priority, inadequate infrastructure and diagnostic equipment and high cost of replacement therapy were major challenges causing hemophilia deaths.
Awodu, therefore, appealed for improved diagnostic capacity, procurement of factor replacement therapy, reduced delays in clearing donated products that would ensure access to hemophilia diagnosis and treatment.
Responding, Pate acknowledged the need to strengthen hemophilia medicine and pledged government commitment to increasing concentrates and prophylaxis practice.
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He reiterated government commitment to prioritizing blood services in Nigeria, and called for a subsidy drive to alleviate constraints faced by vulnerable members of the public.
In the same vein, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director General, National Blood Service Commission (NBSC), expressed appreciation to the minister and the advocacy groups for their commitment towards addressing the plights of persons suffering from hemophilia.
Yuguda expressed commitment of the commission towards improving safe, quality blood services in Nigeria.
