Female doctors under the aegis of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) have called for more collaborations to advance the care of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the country.
They made the call at the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) National Executive Council Meeting in Lagos on Saturday.
It had the theme: “Current Trends in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease.”
The National Director, of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Dr Annette Akinsete who was the Chairman of the MWAN Scientific Session, said that an estimated 150,000 babies were born with sickle cell disease in the country yearly.
According to her, 100,000 out of the children do not make it to age five, thereby also contributing to the high infant mortality rate in the country.
“This programme is timely and also a clarion call to advance the care of sickle cell in the country, and as a nation, we have 30 million carriers of sickle cells.
“The sickle cell space is changing with more advanced care like Glutamine, Gene Therapy and more, which are all researched from the outside world.
”We need to do more by working together and do more of research in the country to prevent and reduce the burden of sickle cell on patients in the country through advancement in prevention and treatment,” she said.
Akinsete noted that the foundation’s establishment of the first Comprehensive Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Centre in partnership with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) was part of an effort to address sickle cell diseases in the country.
“Apart from advocacy and prevention measures, the foundation is currently into partnership with LUTH for quality and safe stem cell procedure.
“This is in line to achieve the SDGs (3) target which is to reduce infant mortality.
”Nigerians are also counting on MWAN to lead efforts to achieve this,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the National President of MWAN, Prof. Rosemary Ugo said the programme was organised to bridge the gap and provide collaboration among health professionals.
Ugo noted that there was a need to be abreast with the recent advancements in the care and treatment of sickle cell disorder.
”We are united by a shared commitment to improve the life of sickle cell patients by advancing our knowledge to provide the needed care for them.
“The recent advancement will provide essential care and treatment and that is why we are engaging everyone within the healthcare space to achieve a significant improve sickle cell patients,” she said.
The president commended Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for its commitment to improving care for sickle cell patients, noting that it aligned with MWAN’s vision.
Also, the Chairperson of MWAN Lagos Chapter and the host of the meeting, Dr Funmi Ige said the event would help increase focus on important health concerns and contribute to improving care for sickle cell patients.
NAN
