Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has performed the nation’s first bone marrow transplant for sickle cell patients with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
This is a huge step in provision of accessible healthcare for a country bearing the world’s highest burden of sickle cell disorder (SCD).
The Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, located at LUTH’s Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Children Emergency Centre in Lagos, represents a hope for over 150,000 babies born annually with the disorder.
Nigeria has grappled with a dire lack of accessible treatment for patients, leading to high infant mortality, with 100,000 children dying before their fifth birthday yearly. For many, seeking this life-saving treatment abroad come at high financial costs and socio-cultural sacrifice.
The transplant took place in September, where a child and an adult received bone marrow stem cells from family donors after weeks of preparation, including chemotherapy and blood transfusions. The patients have been discharged and are undergoing post-treatment monitoring.
Speaking on the achievement, Chief Tunde Afolabi, Chairman of SCFN, who joined a media briefing virtually, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts, stating, “Strategic partnerships and collaborations gave life to this remarkable achievement. This Centre is a testament to our commitment to providing Nigerians with world-class healthcare at home.”
Dr. Annette Akinsete, CEO and National Director of SCFN, highlighted the organization’s long-standing dedication to alleviating the burden of SCD. “We are proud to offer a safe, quality, and accessible cure for sickle cell disorder here in Nigeria. Nigerians deserve world-class healthcare, and this is now a reality,” she remarked.
SCFN’s journey to this historic breakthrough began decades ago under the leadership of its founder, Professor Olu Akinyanju, who laid the foundation for a comprehensive sickle cell care initiative. In its early efforts, SCFN collaborated with the Mediterranean Institute of Haematology (IME) in Italy to perform transplants for over 50 Nigerian children between 2009 and 2015. However, funding limitations brought this partnership to a halt, pushing the foundation to intensify its focus on developing local capacity.
In 2016, SCFN joined forces with Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville, USA, under the guidance of Prof. Adetola Kassim, to train a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian medical personnel. Over seven years, haematologists, pediatricians, adult physicians, radiologists, and nurses received training in advanced BMT techniques.
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Kassim described the success as a landmark for global healthcare collaboration, saying, “The success of this global collaboration represents a major step forward in ensuring that the latest medical technologies and treatments are accessible to all, regardless of location.”
The establishment of the SCFN/LUTH BMT Centre was made possible through extensive fundraising and significant support from the Lagos State Government, NNPC/Chevron JV, and private sector contributors. The Centre was completed and inaugurated in 2022, meeting international standards of care and safety.
While the initial success marks a significant leap forward, the challenge of making BMT more affordable remains a daunting task. Chief Afolabi acknowledged the cost barrier, emphasizing the need for financial partnerships to expand the program. “Many individuals with SCD live below the poverty line and face significant barriers to care. This underscores the critical need for multi-sectoral collaborations and funding support to create a sustainable model for treating SCD in Nigeria,” he noted.
To bridge the financial gap, SCFN is developing the Access to Care Programme, a digital platform designed to connect sponsors with patients in need of financial assistance, ensuring transparency in funding and treatment progress.
The importance of multi-sectoral collaboration was echoed by Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director of LUTH, who commended the partnership with SCFN. “This BMT Centre is a major leap forward in offering accessible treatment for those who need it most,” said Adeyemo, represented by Prof. Bello Babawale at the briefing.
For patients and their families, the opening of the BMT Centre in Nigeria has been a life-changing development. The mother of one of the discharged patients shared her experience, saying, “Our bone marrow transplant experience has been remarkable, filled with hope and certainty. The cost of treatment abroad was simply too high. I am deeply thankful to SCFN for their dedication in making this cure possible and accessible, turning hope into a reality for us and so many others.”
As SCFN celebrates this historic achievement, it recognizes that more work lies ahead to make BMT accessible to all. With over 127 patients currently awaiting treatment, SCFN and LUTH are calling on government bodies, private organizations, and philanthropists to join in supporting the expansion of the program.
Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Annette Akinsete noted, “The establishment of this Centre represents not just a medical milestone but a promise of hope and better healthcare for the thousands of Nigerians affected by sickle cell disorder.” SCFN’s achievement highlights the power of persistence, partnership, and a shared vision to transform healthcare outcomes for those who need it most.
