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US laments prevalence of sickle cell in Nigeria, with 4 million sufferers

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US laments prevalence of sickle cell in Nigeria, with 4 million sufferers

The United States Consulate in Lagos has lamented the continued prevalence of sickle cell in Nigeria.

It blamed it on low level of awareness, lack of systemic screening and inadequate training of healthcare professions.

This was disclosed by the Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate, Russell Brooke during a round-table summit organized by the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), in partnership with the United States Consulate and Eko FM.

A participant at the event, Foluso Philips, Chairman, Philips Consulting and Chairman, Board of Sickle Cell Advocacy and Mgt. Initiative, added that Nigeria has the highest number of sickle cell sufferers in the world, with over 4 million people currently having the disease.

Brooke said the problems that occur due to sickle cell can severely interfere with an individual’s education, work, psychosocial development, and basic survival.

‘’The most severe forms of the disorder can cause children to die before the age of five.

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‘’Unfortunately, systematic screening is not a common practice in Nigeria. Routine screening for sickle cell could save many lives and improve the quality of life for those living with the disorder.

“In a population with a high rate of the disorder, early detection can help Nigeria mitigate this particular obstacle to its development and prosperity. Education and training of healthcare professionals is also required,’’ he noted.

The founder of the initiative, Toyin Adesola while speaking on the theme; ‘Sickle Cell Challenges: A reflection on past, present and future’, emphasized the need for all hands to be on deck in creating and sustaining the needed awareness concerning the sickle cell scourge.

Also speaking, Mr. Foluso Philips, Chairman, Philips Consulting and Chairman, Board of Sickle Cell Advocacy and Mgt. Initiative, added that Nigeria has the highest number of sickle cell sufferers in the world, with over 4 million people currently having the disease.

He said the more society is educated about Sickle Cell, the more society would accommodate it and the less embarrassing it would be for people having the condition.

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