Lagos State Government, on Friday, said that it had developed treatment guidelines for better management of Sickle Cell Disorders (SCD) in the state.
Dr Modele Osunkiyesi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, represented by Dr Eniola Erinosho, Director, Disease
Control, said this at a public lecture in Lagos to commemorate the 2015 World Sickle Cell Day.
The lecture was organised by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria and had its theme as : `Sickle Cell Disorder; life saving measures available in Nigeria’.
The World Sickle Cell Day is commemorated annually on June 19.
Erinosho said: “We collaborate with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria as they have been carrying out a lot of initiatives on Sickle Cell (SC) disease in the country.
“SCD is prevalent in the country; presently, the prevalence rate is six to eight per cent in Nigeria, with over 40 million Nigerians having the traits of sickle cell disease.
“With the support of the Sickle Research Centre, I am sure we have better measures now in the country for the management of SCD.
“On our part as government, we have developed a treatment guideline for the management of SCD in Lagos.
“We are also in the process of establishing a policy on Sickle Cell Disorder and management. The main thrust of that policy is to ensure that the state government creates enabling environment for public campaign and social mobilisation.
“The awareness will sensitise people on the need to know their genotype, what to do before marriage as well as encourage genetic counseling.
“The policy also involves the provision of information communication materials that can be distributed to all the various sectors in the state including banks, markets and they will be published in different languages spoken in the state.’’
According to Erinoshso, the state is working to ensure that there is access to quality care for children with sickle cell disease.
“It is a fact that government cannot singularly provide all the resources needed for the optimal maintenance of the health of its people.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health and its agencies will continue to partner with relevant developmental partners, donors and non-governmental organisations to fill the gaps identified in the deployment of these scarce resources.
“Lagos State government has given recognition to sickle cell disorder as a major public health issue.
“It is providing free medical treatment to children under 12 years, the age group under which the manifestation of sickle cell disease is most prevalent.
“The way forward for every person living with Sickle Cell Disorder is to be informed of the various life-saving measures that are available in Nigeria.
“Information on accessing them as at when due to live a healthy and productive life optimally is also critical,’’ he said.
Prof. Olu Akinyanju, a consultant hematologist and founder of the SCFN, said that Leg Ulceration, Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) and Stroke were endemic in people with SCD.
He said: “People with SCD need to be careful and always go for checks to prevent the occurrence of Leg Ulceration, Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) and Stroke.
“Leg ulceration usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 45 years, it is predominant in males and does not heal quickly.
“However, research is ongoing on a better management for it, especially on the use of umbilical cord platelet cells to make SCD related ulcers heal faster.’’
Akinyaju advised people with SCD to do the Transcranial Doppler (TCD) test to detect the onset the likelihood of having strokes.
He said that stem cell or bone marrow transplant, the only known cure for SCD, would soon be available in Lagos.
Akinyaju, however, explained that the procedure would be available to only people between the ages of two and 16 years, and the success rate was not 100 per cent.
Also, Dr Ayo Otaigbe, a genetic counsellor encouraged intending couple to go for genotype testing at reputable laboratories.
She urged people with SCD to go through genetic counselling, as well as report any form of injury or laceration to the nearest health facility or Sickle Cell Centre.
Dr Adewunmi Adediran, Consulatnt Hematologist, LUTH, described Sickle Cell Disorder as an inherited condition that is characterised by diseased hemoglobin.
“Hemoglobin is the pigment of the red cell that carries oxygen from blood to tissues, when this inherited condition occurs, the person has hemoglobin that is not able to function properly.
“What it does is to sickle the red cells, with time, they start breaking down and apart from that, the sickle cells cannot pass the tiny vessels hence causing a lot of pains and damage to body organs.
“However, with improvement in the management of SCD, people with SCD can now live longer with strict adherence to life saving interventions.
“The intervention include regular medical check, intake of water, taking folic acid, preventing malaria, taking immunisation and having a positive outlook to life,’’ Adediran said.
