Multiple sclerosis in Africa and option of regenerative medicine treatment

BBC World News recently aired an episode of its “Focus on Africa” programme on April 3, 2023, which focused on Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The disease is a neurological condition that causes damage to the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment, and mood changes.

Although Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia have the lowest prevalence of the disease, the latest estimates show that Sub-Saharan Africa has a prevalence of 49,000 with 2,800 new cases each year.

Unfortunately, lack of public awareness as well as the high cost of treatment puts a heavy load on MS patients and their families. Providing medical care for these patients is quite a challenge in countries where there is a shortage of foreign currency.

The interview highlighted the challenges faced by a young Egyptian and her family in the wake of a MS diagnosis: the physical challenges being faced and the social and economic challenges to her entire family who were initially ignorant of the disease; in particular, the inability of her family to afford the medication.

A Nigerian-born, United States (US)-based Regenerative Medicine specialist, who has clinics in Tampa Bay, Florida, and Lekki, Lagos, Dr. David Ikudayisi, was interviewed during the episode. He offers regenerative medicine therapy for patients with MS and other neurological conditions.

Ikudayisi mentioned the option of human stem cell therapy, which doctors around the world offer. The therapy involves harvesting stem cells from a patient and then giving them back to the patient to bring down the inflammation and start the regeneration of the nerves damaged by MS.

When asked how much cheaper stem cell therapy is than the pharmacological medicines used, Ikudayisi said the recommended disease-modifying therapy used in MS is currently very expensive, costing several thousands of U.S. Dollars. But stem cells from the patient can be offered to the same patient at a fraction of this cost.

He explained that regenerative medicine harnesses cells already present in the body for the purpose of repair and regeneration. Adult stem cell therapy accelerates the healing process that God has put in place. He emphasised that stem cell therapy is orthodox medicine and not a form of alternative medicine, and science has demonstrated the safety of adult stem cell therapy.

In Nigeria, Ikudayisi has treated MS with some success. Vision improved, pain subsided within days, discomfort subsided, and gait improved. Although currently, MS has no cure, adult stem cell therapy can start the process of regeneration of the damaged nerves, which no pharmacologic medication does.

Current medicines only slow down the damage and reduce inflammation. Unlike stem cells, they don’t regenerate damaged nervous tissue.

In conclusion, MS is a challenging disease that affects people worldwide, and unfortunately, treatment can be costly. However, with the development of regenerative medicine therapy, there is hope for MS patients.

Ikudayisi’s work in Nigeria shows there is a promising alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments, and stem cell therapy may be a more affordable and effective way to address MS. With further research and development, stem cell therapy is a promising viable solution for MS patients worldwide.