FG Expands Sickle Cell Management Services In Six Centres

The Federal Government has commenced the expansion of sickle cell screening and management services across six designated centres of care in the country.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, made this known on Tuesday while addressing delegates from over 60 countries at the 5th Global Congress on Sickle Cell Disease held in Abuja.

“In line with our national commitment, Nigeria has begun to expand sickle cell screening and management services across six designated centres of care. A new national guideline for prevention and management has been adopted and updated,” he said.

The minister described the gathering as timely, coinciding with Nigeria’s deepening implementation of the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Newborn Screening

He added that “In Nigeria, thousands of children are born each year with the disease, many of whom die prematurely from preventable complications such as severe anaemia and infection. This is not only a public Health challenge—it is a social injustice.”

The minister, however, stressed that the deaths could be avoided through interventions such as newborn screening, early diagnosis, routine vaccination, and access to disease-modifying therapies like hydroxyurea can reduce child mortality from sickle cell disease by more than 80 per cent.

Expanding Access To Life-Saving Treatment

He further revealed that the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training in Abuja would also be upgraded to an international centre of excellence—serving not just Nigeria, but the West African sub-region and the global community.

Pate added that the government was collaborating with local pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure affordable access to hydroxyurea, a key drug for managing sickle cell disease.

“We are also partnering with local pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide affordable access to hydroxyurea. Most significantly, I am pleased to announce that the Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training in Abuja will now be upgraded to an International Centre of Excellence—serving not just Nigeria, but the West African sub-region and the global community,” he said.

Today in Abuja, I had the honour of addressing delegates from over 60 countries at the 5th Global Congress on Sickle Cell Disease @GlobalSCDN. This gathering could not have come at a more critical time. As Nigeria deepens implementation of the National Health Sector Renewal… pic.twitter.com/snKBmGq95U

— Muhammad Ali Pate (@muhammadpate) June 3, 2025