World Sickle Cell Day: 50 Million Nigerians Carry the Trait – Experts Raise Alarm at Ilorin Workshop

The Alarming Reality of Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria
As the world marked World Sickle Cell Day on Thursday, medical professionals and public health advocates gathered in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to raise awareness about the growing burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) in Nigeria. Speaking at a one-day sensitization workshop organized by the Building Hope for Sickle Cell Foundation, experts highlighted the alarming scale of the sickle cell crisis in Nigeria.

50 Million Nigerians Carry the Sickle Cell Trait
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, medical consultant Dr. Ajao Kasali revealed that Nigeria bears the heaviest global burden of the sickle cell trait, with an estimated 50 million Nigerians carrying the gene. This accounts for a significant portion of the global figure of approximately 50 million people affected by the condition worldwide.

The Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease in Kwara State
Focusing on Kwara State, Dr. El-Imam disclosed that the prevalence of SCD among children admitted to emergency pediatric units in the state is as high as 16.3%, significantly above the national average. In contrast, neighboring Niger State recorded a much lower rate of 2.1%. A community study in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara revealed that 2.3% of residents suffer from sickle cell disease, while a staggering 25% of adults carry the sickle cell gene, making the need for awareness and preventive measures even more urgent.

The Need for Awareness and Preventive Measures
To combat the crisis, Dr. El-Imam emphasized a multi-faceted approach involving early diagnosis, proper management, community education, and policy support. She noted that the Kwara State Government offers free medical services for sickle cell patients through its health insurance program. Additionally, the government has launched vaccination campaigns and nutritional programs to help reduce the frequency and severity of sickle cell crises among patients.

Raising Awareness and Promoting Premarital Screening
The event also featured contributions from other notable figures in the fight against SCD. Comrade Ajila Oladimeji Kamar, CEO of the Building Hope for Sickle Cell Foundation, and Alhaji Kadir Obasola Jimoh, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, stressed the importance of raising awareness about premarital genotype testing. They expressed concern that many couples still marry without screening for sickle cell, leading to preventable cases of the disease in children.

Call to Action: Improving Healthcare Services for SCD Patients
The speakers also called for improved access to quality healthcare, availability of essential drugs, and continued investment in research to discover better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for the disease. “Raising awareness, especially among young people and couples, is critical,” they said. “We must ensure that communities are educated and that government policies prioritize sickle cell management and research.”

World Sickle Cell Day: A Global Call to Action
World Sickle Cell Day, observed annually on June 19, aims to increase public knowledge and understanding of the disease, celebrate the resilience of sickle cell warriors, and highlight the need for improved healthcare services for those affected.