Nigeria is regarded as the global epicentre of sickle cell disease and has the highest number of sickle cell patients in the world. Over 150,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease annually in Nigeria with 20 out of every 1000 live births having the sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell is an inherited blood disorder marked by flawed haemoglobin which interferes with the delivery of oxygen to tissues of the body. Patients living with sickle cell disease may have symptoms and complications like; stroke, anaemia, jaundice, splenic sequestration, acute chest syndrome, and priapism.
Sickle cell disease occurs when an individual gets the sickle cell gene, one each from both parents. The chart below shows the possible combinations of blood genotypes that lead to sickle cell disease.
Source: UNICEF
Nearly one out of two children die before their fifth birthday in Nigeria. Research by Lancet also states that 35,000 children under 5 died each year from 2003 to 2013 due to sickle cell disease.
Despite the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in Nigeria, many Nigerians have little to no knowledge about the disease as there is a lack of data regarding sickle cell disease in Nigeria. The lack of knowledge about sickle cell prevents people from knowing the right diet, the triggers and the cures for sickle cell disease.
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Improved Health Outcomes with Good Nutrition
Experts have opined that the right nutrition can help improve the health and prolong the life of a sickle cell patient. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and lots of fluids are essential treatments for a sickle cell patient. Experts have found that the right nutrients would not only help improve their health conditions but also help them to grow healthier and reduce deficiencies.
Until the 1980s, sickle cell disease was thought to be incurable but a number of treatments have been formulated to reduce complications and even cure sickle cell disease. Treatments for sickle cell disease include; blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants also known as stem cell transplants and the use of hydroxyurea.
Blood transfusions are used to treat complications of sickle cell diseases, it helps prevent stroke in people with sickle cell diseases especially infants.
The most guaranteed cure for the sickle cell disease is the bone marrow transplant, this method is not performed in Africa and also has the constraints of a suitable bone marrow match and costs between $150,000 to $250,000, due to the limited number of medical centres that perform this procedure.
Hydroxyurea is a medication taken orally once a day to help the body increase the production of haemoglobin which reduces sickling and other complications of sickle cell disease.
The awareness of sickle cell disease is limited but deliberate efforts have been made to bring awareness to it. One such awareness strategy is the World Sickle Cell day which is celebrated on June 19th of every year. There are also a number of foundations that have been set up to bring awareness, control and give proper care to sickle cell sufferers and their carers in Nigeria and Africa, examples are the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation, Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research, Sickle Cell Aid Foundation, and Smile Sickle Cell foundation.
The Nigerian government passed a bill in 2021 to strengthen initiatives and programs to manage, and control sickle cell anaemia as well as avert many deaths and unnecessary medical expenses.
The best way to avoid sickle cell disease or to avoid birthing a child with sickle cell disease and that means making sure those with the sickle cell variant do not produce offspring with another person carrying the sickle cell variant.
Adijat Kareem is a research and data analyst at Dataphyte with a background in Economics. She is passionate about data and storytelling in driving social change and innovation.
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