The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish Sickle Cell Research and Therapy Centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones, a move aimed at strengthening the national response to sickle cell disorder.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish Sickle Cell Disorder Research and Therapy Centres to Expand Access to Specialised Sickle Cell Disorder Care, Improve Data Collection and Research, Support Education and Assistance for Patients, Families, Providers and Communities Affected by Sickle Cell Disorder, and for Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 893),” the proposed law outlines provisions for the creation, administration, and funding of the centres in all geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Leading the debate on the bill, its sponsor, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (PDP, Kaduna South), said the initiative would expand access to specialised care, strengthen data collection, and promote education and support for patients and families affected by the condition.
“The bill contains 27 clauses covering the establishment of the centres, management boards, staffing, funding, and general administration,” Katung explained.
He noted that sickle cell disease remains the most common inherited disorder in tropical Africa, with more than 650 children dying daily from related complications. Nigeria, he added, is the global epicentre of the disease, where most affected children do not live beyond the age of five.
“These statistics are in sharp contrast to outcomes in high-income countries, where more than 90 percent of sickle cell patients reach adulthood,” Katung said, lamenting that Nigeria continues to suffer high mortality rates due to weak diagnostic and treatment systems.
In his contribution, Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) described the bill as “long overdue and completely necessary,” stressing the need for public education on the genetic transmission of the disease.
The Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), also urged relevant agencies to intensify campaigns on genotype compatibility before marriage, while Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North) called for stronger public enlightenment and rural outreach efforts.
Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) emphasised the need for sustained education on premarital genotype testing, noting that sickle cell disorder imposes heavy financial and emotional burdens on affected families.
After deliberations, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), who presided over the session, put the motion to a voice vote, and the bill was unanimously passed for second reading.
