The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to bridging the survival gap for individuals living with sickle cell disease. This commitment was made on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Nigeria co-launched the "OneSCD – a Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care." The partnership aims to revolutionize the care and management of sickle cell disease worldwide.
According to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, sickle cell disease affects nearly 8 million people globally, with over 75 percent of cases found in sub-Saharan Africa. Tragically, many children with the condition die before reaching the age of five due to preventable complications. Nigeria bears the highest burden of sickle cell disease worldwide, with between 150,000 and 180,000 babies born with the condition annually.
The Nigerian government has taken significant steps to address the issue, including the establishment of a national program domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Health. A National Steering Committee has been set up, and clinical guidelines for the control and management of sickle cell disease have been developed. Additionally, pilot newborn screening programs are currently underway in Lagos, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory.
To improve diagnosis and treatment, six centers of excellence equipped with HPLC machines for specialized diagnosis have been established under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The government is also working to enhance access to affordable diagnostics and medicines, training health workers, building referral networks, and integrating sickle cell data into the national health information system.
The government is pursuing sustainable financing options through health insurance and public-private partnerships to alleviate the financial burden on families affected by sickle cell disease. Dr. Salako emphasized that the global response to sickle cell disease has been marred by inequities and a lack of prioritization, with most cases concentrated in low- and middle-income countries.
As a champion country, Nigeria has pledged to integrate early diagnosis and comprehensive care across all levels of healthcare, strengthen accountability through data and financing, and place patients and families at the center of policy. The country aims to share its lessons and experiences globally, serving as a model for other nations to follow.
Dr. Salako called on development partners, philanthropies, and the private sector to invest in country-owned systems and scale proven interventions to combat sickle cell disease. The OneSCD partnership, co-organized by Nigeria, Uganda, India, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, UNICEF, WHO, Africa CDC, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the World Coalition on SCD, seeks to connect political leadership, expertise, and financing behind country-led actions to tackle the disease.
Key points
- Nigeria co-launched the OneSCD partnership to transform sickle cell care and close the survival gap for people living with the disease.
- The country bears the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally, with between 150,000 and 180,000 babies born with the condition annually.
- Nigeria aims to integrate early diagnosis and comprehensive care across all levels of healthcare and share its lessons globally.
