The Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, (SCHAF) has called on stakeholders; Government institutions, non-Government organizations, individuals and corporate bodies to expedite support towards awareness, care and research on sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

This call was made during a Press conference organised by the foundation at the University College Hospital, UCH,  Ibadan to disseminate its findings on the study of the Prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV among Individuals with and without sickle cell disease in South West, Nigeria.

Speaking during the Press conference, Prof. Mrs. Adeyinka Gladys Falusi, a retired Professor of Hematology, who is the Founder, Principal Investigator and trustee of the Foundation (SCHAF), averred that it is obviously a rare phenomenon in Nigeria to encounter a situation whereby research findings are presented to the public; and during the presentation of such, the public and the media especially is ably represented, to give such a coverage in their space.

The reason for this she said is “the need to urgently inform the public on the need to be more aware about sickle cell disease, care for patients with sickle disease and be informed about the various researches that have gone into reducing the scourge of the disease in Nigeria.”

In her words: “We are here today to disseminate information about the study we conducted five years ago on the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV among individuals with and without sickle cell disease in South West, Nigeria. This is the largest sickle cell disease cohort study in Nigeria.

The research was conducted in affiliation with Genetic Research Unit, Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), Department of Virology, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Hematology. Pediatrics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry: College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

It commenced in 2018 and 1,017 People Living with Sickle Cell Disease (PLWSCD) and 1,017 people without the disease were recruited from 7 different health facilities living in the same areas within Ibadan metropolis. These health facilities include: UCH Hematology, UCH Pediatrics, Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Jaja Clinic, University of Ibadan, and Ibadan Sickle Cell Foundation”.

The results of the findings indicate that there are improved and effective transfusion safety measures in hospitals in South West, Nigeria which is an indicator that caregivers are now more informed to take their wards to registered heath care services than in the past. Blood transfusion now has a minimal risk to contracting HBV, HCV and HIV infections in South West.

Fielding responses from participants during the press conference, Prof. Gladys Falusi, the Founder of SCHAF affirmed that all efforts to deal with the issue of sickle cell disease in the last 12 years, by the foundation has been solely sponsored by the foundation; the study conducted 5 years ago was funded by Gilead Sciences, USA. As such, no support has been garnered from Government but from members of the Foundation who expended both their expertise and finances to keep the work afloat.

“Over four millions Nigerians live with sickle cell, yet the awareness is poor, she alluded”.

She was however delighted that the Federal Government has passed the bill for the establishment of Sickle Cell Disease Research and Treatment Centre in Nigeria; a good development, compared to non availability of such over the years, despite the spate of the disease especially in Nigeria.

She added further: “the level of awareness is still very low; care for the patients of sickle cell disease is not forth coming as expected; many research areas about the disease is yet to be attended to. Government, Non-Governmental Organization, individuals and corporate bodies are therefore called upon to look into providing support in these three areas. We are opened for partnership as regards this”.

The Chairperson for the Press Conference, who is the head of the Genetic unit in the foundation, the VC of Chrisland University, Prof. Mrs. Chinedum Peace Babalola, commended the efforts of SCHAF towards disseminating information to the public about her research findings.

She corroborated that it is rare to have such done by any organization in our part of the world. She therefore called on stakeholders in the Nigerian polity to lend their support towards this laudable adventure which is standing on three tripods, namely: creating awareness, providing care and conducting research on sickle cell disease in Nigeria.