In a landmark development, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), has launched Nigeria’s first locally available bone marrow transplant programme for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD).
The initiative offers a safe and effective cure for SCD by replacing diseased stem cells with healthy ones from matched family donors.
According to a statement jointly signed by LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, and SCFN’s National Director/CEO, Annette Akinsete, the programme was introduced to address gaps in the treatment of SCD patients in Nigeria.
The first two patients, admitted in August, are currently undergoing the bone marrow transplant procedure after undergoing preparatory treatments such as chemotherapy and blood transfusions.
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While the procedure carries risks like infection and infertility, advancements in medical research have significantly improved outcomes. The statement emphasized that this newly established programme meets international standards for the treatment of SCD.
SCD affects 20 per 1,000 births in Nigeria, with around 150,000 annual births of babies with sickle cell anaemia, the most common form of the disease. Despite the high prevalence, bone marrow transplants, the only known cure, have previously been unavailable within the country.
LUTH’s initiative, supported by international partners such as the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT), marks a significant step toward accessible treatment for SCD in Nigeria.
The programme’s success is bolstered by expertise from international medical professionals, including Josu de la Fuente from Imperial College London, who assists with the paediatric aspects of the transplant process.
This groundbreaking programme promises to improve care for SCD patients in Nigeria, offering hope for many families affected by the disease.
