Checking Sickle Cell Prevalence In Nigeria

In 2006 the World Health Organisation (WHO) pronounced Nigeria as the country with the highest number of sufferers of sickle cell anaemia in the world.

The global health watch dog puts the annual number of sickle cell anaemia suffers in Africa at about 200,000, noting that Nigeria accounts for 150,000 sickle cell anemic children every year.

Medical findings show that about 30 per cent of Nigerians are carriers of the mutant gene, with the prevalence rate at 20 per 1,000 births.

“With the carrier frequency ranging between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of Nigeria’s population, it means that more than 30 million Nigerians are carriers,’’ the report stated.

The disease, according to medical sciences, is inherited from both parents and is usually caused by some abnormalities in a type of haemoglobin called haemoglobin-s.

Symptoms of the disease vary, but a research conducted by A. A. Adeyokunnu and R. G. Hendicks, both of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, shows that sufferers have painful episodes, usually referred to as crises which can last between hours and days.

“Some carriers suffer abdominal pain, breathlessness, delayed growth and puberty, fatigue, fever, ulcers, among others,’’ the report states.

Sen.Gyang Dantong, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, notes that sickle cell anaemia has been proved to be more fatal than HIV and AIDS.

He describes the effects of the disease as very devastating, and declared that Nigeria could not afford to remain its “world capital’’.

Dr.Artemos Francis, a Kaduna-based medical practitioner, believes that the first step toward checking the menace is to prevent its occurrence.

“Sickle cell can only occur when two people, who carry the sickle cell trait, have a child together. We must intensify counseling intending couples to go for tests to determine their status.

“Currently, some churches and mosques insist on the tests, but we have to step that up via legislations that would make it a compulsory state policy,’’ he said.

Francis also suggests steps to prevent the crises. “The sufferer must maintain good oxygen level to prevent dehydration. He or she must avoid strenuous activities, stress, smoking, high altitudes and too much sun exposure.”

Francis also suggests that a child with sickle cell anaemia should wear a Medic Alert Bracelet, while information on such children must be shared among teachers and other care givers. He further suggests that sickle cell anaemia patients should join support groups where members share common experiences that could relieve stress.

Mrs. Mary Atanu, a Jos-based public health expert, shares Francis’ suggestion that much attention be paid to the prevention of the disease. She explains that such is more helpful as the treatment for the ailment is usually very expensive.

“All the treatment for sickle cell anaemia related complications are usually very costly; some complications require kidney transplant and gallbladder removal. Other complications also require surgery for persistent painful erections, eye problems and ulcers.’’

She notes that bone marrow stem cell transplant can cure sickle cell anaemia, but points out that they are very expensive and out of reach of the poor. Atanu notes that bone transplant abroad costs between N12 million to N15 million.

Marrow bone transplant was carried out last year on seven-year-old Matthew Ndik at the Universityof Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) at the cost of N5million

The Federal Government has also expressed readiness to resuscitate the local production of Niprisan, the drug known for its universal efficacy in the management of sickle cell anaemia.

Health Minister Prof.Onyebuchi Chukwu says “the stoppage of production of the drug created a huge vacuum in the management of sickle cell anaemia, and the resumption of production of the drug would restore hope for sickle cell sufferers’’.

Prof. Kaniwen Gamaliel, Director-General, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) agrees with the minister.

“The resuscitation of the Niprisan project would rekindle hope to sickle cell patients, and I want to assure all Nigerians that we are fully committed to it,’’ he assures.

Medics and non-governmental organisations are of the view that public enlightenment should be intensified as sickle cell anaemia is avoidable. They also commended efforts made to reduce the pains of sufferers.

Ephraims Sheyin writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Ephraims Sheyin