As part of activities to mark its 60th anniversary, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, yesterday, announced plans for cure of sickle cell anaemia with first bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

The transplantation is currently the only known cure for sickle cell disease. It involves replacing the abnormal stem cells residing in bone marrow with healthy cells from an eligible relative. This procedure is also sometimes called stem cell transplant.

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had, in February 2022, commissioned the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria/Lagos University Teaching Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Centre.

LUTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) and chairman of the centre, Prof. Chris Bode, yesterday, at the opening to herald the three-month long anniversary celebration, described the project as a “quadripartite collaboration between the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, LUTH, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, United States of America (USA) and the Lagos State Government.”
Bode, who is also a paediatric surgeon, said: “During this period, a number of landmark projects will be commissioned and shall be performing LUTH’s first bone marrow transplantation for cure of sickle cell anaemia. A new 30-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is about to be completed and put to use.”

He described Nigeria as epicentre of sickle cell disease, with over two million Nigerians suffering from it, noting that the event was a testimony to what happens “when people with good mind come together for a common purpose.”

Bode said the centre “is poised to be the most advanced of its kind in West Africa, as the management would do all it can to make it a training centre for capacity building to benefit other centres.”

The surgeon observed that the hospital had recorded numerous achievements since its establishment six decades ago. He explained: “LUTH has the highest concentration of skilled medical and paramedical staff in different areas of medicine. This explains the reason LUTH is always the focus when foreign countries, oil companies and even highbrow private hospitals in Nigeria are on recruitment drive for manpower.”

The CMD said the tertiary medical facility had pioneered small incision cataract excision surgery in Nigeria and trained over 40 doctors from all over the country in the procedure in the past years.

He added that the hospital had also commenced laparoscopic general and gynaecologic surgery to reduce the duration of hospitalisation after surgery.

“LUTH also boasts of a comprehensive Diagnostic Centre and VIP Clinic, state-of-the-art laboratories, radio-diagnosis, radiotherapy and renal dialysis facilities. From a humble beginning of 330 beds, LUTH today, is the largest teaching hospital in Nigeria with over 1000 beds and with the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, LUTH is involved in the training of hundreds of medical, dental, pharmacy and other allied health science students,” he said.

Bode said the hospital has produced thousands of nurses, laboratory scientists, health records officers, biomedical engineers and other paramedical cadres.

He observed that various members of the consultant staff have made significant contributions to knowledge advancement in major areas of medical science, notably in the separation of conjoined twins and in-vitro fertilisation.

The CMD said LUTH has also taken advantage of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Public Private Partnership Initiatives, and presently partners with private organisations in providing state-of-the-art facilities.

He said the flagship of such partnership is the multi-million dollars NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre (NLCC), the first of its kind in West Africa.

Bode stated LUTH is the only federal teaching hospital with Independent Power Project (IPP) that generates its own electricity, and therefore has been enjoying uninterrupted power supply since December 2017.

The CMD said the biggest Renal Institute in Nigeria, Isaac Olusola Dada Dialysis Centre and Renal Institute, is already commissioned and presently functional.

“Alima Atta Oncology Wards (60-bedded Wards) is near completion. Lagos University Teaching Hospital has also partnered with Smile Train since 2007. With this partnership, Smile Train has supported free surgical treatment of patients with oro-facial clefts, with over 800 surgical repair of cleft lip and/palate done in LUTH so far. Other areas of care being supported by Smile Train include orthodontics care, speech therapy and nutrition for patients with orofacial clefts. Kids Operating Room (KidsOR); a global health charity focused on brining equitable access to safe surgery for all children, and Smile Train supported LUTH with a grant of over $500,000 for the renovation, furnishing and equip two state-of-the-art (paediatric) theatres, dedicated only for children surgical procedures,” he said.

Bode said LUTH as an institution has grown from a 500-bedded hospital to 760 bedded, and then to over 1000-bedded hospital serving over 25 million Lagosians and its neighbouring states.

“As we look to the future, we must reflect on the past 60 years and imagine what LUTH shall be at its Centennial in another 40 years. Let us dream dreams and come up with lofty goals, which shall be our own legacies to be celebrated by posterity. As we celebrate, we are also engaging all stakeholders to define the new goals and projects for the future of our Institution,” he said.