An Enugu-based non-governmental organisation, Blood Cells Rescue Initiative (BCRI), has offered free consultation, screening, and medication to sickle cell patients in Enugu, with over 300 patients in Enugu Urban to benefit from the programme.
Speaking at the medical outreach on Sunday, BCRI Co-founder Dr Onyinye Eze said the initiative was designed to identify and support people living with sickle cell disease in Enugu Urban.
She explained that sickle cell disease is widespread in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and globally, with Nigeria having the highest prevalence worldwide.
Eze, a Consultant Haematologist at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital and Parklane Teaching Hospital, noted that the outreach provided free screening, consultation, and routine medications to patients.
“I was surprised by the number of people we saw today. We are providing antibiotics, anti-malarials, and disease-modifying drugs such as hydroxyurea to those who qualify,” she said.
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She also revealed that many children with sickle cell disease had never seen a doctor and were instead managed by community health workers and chemists.
Eze called on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to invest more in sickle cell care, noting that while the disease is treatable, the cost of treatment is often beyond the reach of many sufferers.
She urged Nigerians to support the organisation, which is funded through her efforts and support from friends and family.
Dr Angela Ugwu, a Consultant Haematologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, highlighted the problem of misdiagnosis contributing to the increasing number of sickle cell patients.
She pointed out that many individuals received incorrect laboratory results, leading to confusion.
“Many parents were told their genotype was AA and later married someone with AS, but then had children with sickle cell disease. Upon retesting, it was discovered that the initial results were inaccurate,” she explained.
Ugwu advised prospective couples to undergo multiple tests at government hospitals to ensure accurate genotype results.
She emphasised that sickle cell anaemia is a genetic condition and warned carriers not to underestimate the risk.
“When both partners are carriers, each pregnancy has a 25 per cent chance of resulting in a child with sickle cell anaemia.
“Couples should get tested to know their status,” she advised.
She also encouraged carriers to consider in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or adoption if they wish to have healthy children.
A father of one of the patients, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared his experience.
His adopted child was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at a young age.
“He started having crises early on and was diagnosed with the disease. I advise anyone adopting children to carry out necessary tests to avoid this situation.
“I am very grateful for the outreach; it has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Meeting doctors and receiving medication means a great deal to us,” he said.
