Sickle Cell Breakthrough: Nigeria Gets Bone Marrow Transplant Cure

Sickle Cell Breakthrough: Nigeria Gets Bone Marrow Transplant Cure

It is no small news that a significant breakthrough has been made in sickle cell treatment in Nigeria, giving Nigerians living with the life-threatening disease hope of leading normal lives. The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has made bone marrow transplants now available in Nigeria. Unlike some other known cures for sickle cell, bone marrow transplants are said to be able to help adult patients with sickle cell live to old age. Research over the years has improved the process greatly, limiting the side effects and complications.

According to a press release by LUTH, a post-transplant clinic was initially established in 2019 for patients who had gotten the treatment abroad. Now, due to the LUTH-SCFN alliance, the cure is now available in Nigeria.

The first set of patients were admitted in August 2024 using bone marrow stem cells from family donors and are said to have undergone successful surgeries.

It should be noted that checking the genotype compatibility of couples is still the surest known way to prevent sickle cell anaemia, as no cure is one hundred percent accurate, and even with the support by the SCFN, the cure still remains expensive and relatively unaffordable by the masses. Still, this is a milestone in the Nigerian healthcare sector as Nigeria is said to be the country with the highest number of sickle cell cases with approximately 4 million people

Credit: Aisha Egena-Aruwa | Talk Africa NG

Filed under: healthnews

Share this article

Keep Reading

More stories you might find interesting

SHE IS A CHILD, NOT A BRIDE: THE NEED FOR GIRLS’ RIGHTS
culture

SHE IS A CHILD, NOT A BRIDE: THE NEED FOR GIRLS’ RIGHTS

Every year, on October 11, the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child. It is a day to remember girls, celebrate their potential and look at the challenges that prevent many of them from living the lives they deserve. This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”, reminds us of an issue that still affects many girls till today, especially in areas where early marriage is accepted as normal.

The Eyes Of Ghana: How A Viral Streamer And A Former U.S. President Are Saving A Piece Of African History
news

The Eyes Of Ghana: How A Viral Streamer And A Former U.S. President Are Saving A Piece Of African History

A 93-year-old Ghanaian cameraman spent decades filming the birth of African independence, then watched more than 1,300 reels of that history disappear into hiding in London. Now, with his eyesight failing, he's racing to bring it home. iShowSpeed and Barack and Michelle Obama are backing the effort to make sure he gets there in time. "The Eyes of Ghana" hits theaters for one night only on October 28.

INEC Appointments: Tinubu Seeks Swift Senate Confirmation of Six Nominees
politics

INEC Appointments: Tinubu Seeks Swift Senate Confirmation of Six Nominees

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to expedite the confirmation of six nominees for positions at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue. The nominations were announced on Friday, 16 October, in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The appointments are intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving electoral officials.

View all posts

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

0/1000
Loading comments...