Nigeria should drive home-grown sickle cell solutions – Foundation

The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria is advocating for increased leadership from the country in developing and implementing solutions for sickle cell disease. Dr Annette Akinsete, the National Director and CEO of the foundation, made this call during the launch of OneSCD, a global partnership aimed at advancing equity and improving sickle cell care, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Nigeria has a significant burden of sickle cell disease, with over 40 million people being potential carriers of the gene. The foundation highlights its experience, institutions, and expertise as key assets in shaping the global response to the disease. They suggest that Nigeria should be considered an early demonstration country for transformative sickle care due to its substantial burden, decades of advocacy, growing capacity, specialist centers, and active civil society and patient networks.