Nigeria accounts for world highest sickle cell ratio

Abuja (Federal Ministry of Health Report)

The Supervising Minister of Health, Khaliru Alhassan (Dr) has said that Nigeria has the highest prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the world with 40 million Nigerians carrying the genes.

The Minister stated this while launching the National Guideline for the Control and Management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) at the National Stakeholders Meeting on Sickle Cell Disease recently in Abuja. He added that Nigeria is the most Sickle Cell Disease endemic country in the world by virtue of its population with an annual infant death of 100,000 which represents 8% of the infant mortality rate in the country.

Khaliru Alhassan further noted that Sickle Cell Disease is a major disorder of public health importance which affects nearly 100 million people in the world; saying it is also responsible for over 50% of deaths in those with the most severe form of the disease. He inferred that the disease is among the top ten non-communicable diseases causing significant disability, morbidity and mortality.

The Minister of State informed that with the launched document, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with experts and other stakeholders is committed to providing leadership for the prevention and control of sickle cell disease in the country. While explaining that the document will provide guidelines for the management of specific clinical problems associated with sickle cell disease and protocols for various therapeutic procedures, he hinted that it will also facilitate uniformity and standardization of care across different disciplines.

The Director of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health,  Bridget okoeguale (Dr) who was represented by the National Coordinator of the Non-Communicable Diseases Division of the Ministry, Anthony Usoro (Dr) said that despite the overwhelming health challenges caused by sickle cell disease, insufficient attention has been given to the disorder.

Bridget okoeguale disclosed that the meeting was strategic in that the decisions reached will in a long run lead to better achievement of results through better utilization of resources, stronger political will, greater mutual accountability, increased funding for SCD activities and more research in the area of SCD. She expressed hope that the efforts will culminate in reduced morbidity and mortality caused by SCD.