Nigeria Moves to Close Sickle Cell Survival Gap with Expanded Screening, Treatment Access
Thousands of Nigerians living with sickle cell disease could soon benefit from improved diagnosis and treatment as the Federal Government steps up efforts to tackle one of the country’s most persistent public health challenges.
Speaking at the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day press briefing in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality sickle cell care regardless of location, income or social status.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, the minister noted that Nigeria carries the world’s highest burden of sickle cell disease, with about 25 per cent of adults carrying the sickle cell gene and an estimated 100,000 infants dying annually from related complications.
To address the challenge, the government is expanding newborn screening programmes in Lagos, Kano and the FCT, establishing six Centres of Excellence across the country’s geopolitical zones, deploying innovative Sicklescan technology for faster diagnosis and integrating sickle cell services into primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
The minister also disclosed plans to include newborn screening, essential diagnostics and subsidised Hydroxyurea therapy in the National Health Insurance Authority’s benefit package to improve affordability and access to care.
Health experts at the event urged Nigerians to know their genotype and seek genetic counselling before marriage, stressing that prevention remains the most effective strategy in reducing the burden of the disease.
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