A Bill aimed at addressing the mortality rate arising from sickle cell passed Second Reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.
The bill sponsored by Senator representing Kaduna South, Sunday Katung seeks to improve access to specialised care for patients through the establishment of Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) Research and Therapy Centres across the six geopolitical zones in the country.
The Centres when established, will offer diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative services, while also serving as hubs for research, data collection and patient education.
Presenting the Bill, Senator Katung submitted that the objective is to provide a painstaking, structured and sustainable approach to the management of sickle cell disorder which he described as one of the most common inherited diseases in Africa.
The lawmaker maintained that ‘the Bill seeks to establish the Sickle Cell Centres in each of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and make comprehensive provisions for the due administration of the Centres.’
He explained that they would not only deliver advanced medical care but also support families and communities affected by the disorder through counselling and public education.
Further advancing the argument on the imperative of the Centres, Senator Katung described Nigeria as the global epicentre of sickle cell disorder, accounting for about half of the estimated 300,000 newborns with the disease each year.
‘Sickle Cell Disorder is the most common inherited disorder in tropical Africa, with over 650 children dying per day. In Nigeria, most of those with the most severe form of the disorder die before the age of five.’
He noted that while more than 90 per cent of patients in high-income countries now survive into adulthood due to improved treatment and care, Nigeria continues to record a high mortality rate because it lags behind in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
‘Despite tremendous global scientific progress, Nigeria still records a very high rate of SCD complications and deaths because we have not fully implemented the treatment plans that have worked in other countries.’
In his contribution, Senator representing Enugu West, Osita Ngwu, commended his colleague for the initiative as he described the presentation of the Bill as timely.
He said, ‘It comes from a genetic transmission, due to ignorance of the parents. This bill is timely and will go a long way in providing therapy and saving lives.’
Senator representing Oyo North, Abdulfatah Buhari said the bill should prioritise enlightenment and rural outreach to sensitise more people on the disorder. He stated, ‘Most people don’t even know who to marry in terms of genotype compatibility.’
In her contribution, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said when established, the Centres should be attached to university teaching hospitals to enhance research and reduce establishment cost.
Deputy Senate President. Jibrin Barau who presided at plenary referred the bill to the Committee on Health for further legislative action.