The National Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Dr. Annette Akinsete, has said despite advancements in the treatment of sickle cell disease, not every patient requires a bone marrow transplant.
In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Akinsete explained that only those with severe complications should consider the procedure.
“Not all patients with sickle cell are good candidates for a bone marrow transplant. If you can manage the condition well without frequent crises, you likely won’t need one.
“The transplant is best suited for patients with severe cases, particularly those who require frequent blood transfusions and may have developed antibodies,” she said.
Akinsete recounted how the foundation initially partnered an institute in Rome, Italy, enabling 50 Nigerian children to undergo free bone marrow transplants.
But when the Italian government stopped funding the programme, she said SCFN had to rethink its approach.
“We decided to establish our own centre. It was capital-intensive. So, we sought partnerships. We collaborated with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in the United States (U.S.A.).
“LUTH provided medical personnel; Vanderbilt trained doctors, and nurses received training in India. We stood at the centre of these collaborative efforts, providing funding,” Akinsete said.
Read Also: Not all sickle cell patients need bone marrow transplants – SCFN
The foundation national director acknowledged that financial access remains a major barrier to treatment.
She added: “Nigeria is the sickle cell capital of the world. Yet, we have very few bone marrow transplant centres.
“We are engaging state governments to subsidise the procedure, though formal agreements are yet to be signed.”
Akinsete announced that the foundation also plans to launch a large-scale fundraising campaign to support patients who cannot afford the transplant.
“Many Nigerians have paid up to $1 million to undergo this procedure abroad. We are receiving calls from people willing to pay for it locally. But for those who cannot, we will work with donors and governments to ensure accessibility,” she said.