Lagos University Teaching Hospital, in partnership with Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, has introduced a pioneering bone marrow transplant program for individuals with sickle cell disease.
This groundbreaking initiative makes high-quality treatment more accessible and affordable for Nigerians, who previously faced prohibitively expensive and inaccessible options.
The program replaces diseased stem cells with healthy ones from matched family donors, offering new hope to those affected.
Nigeria bears the world’s largest burden of sickle cell disease, with many facing life-threatening complications, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy.
According to the World Health Organization, 24% of Nigerians carry the mutant genes, and the disease affects 20 in every 1,000 births. This program addresses existing treatment gaps, providing locally accessible care.
LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, and SCFN’s CEO, Annette Akinsete, announced the joint effort, emphasizing affordable treatment. The first patients admitted in August are already undergoing transplants at the hospital.
The statement reads in part, “They received a treatment regimen of exchange blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and anti-infective prophylaxis to prepare them for the infusion of bone marrow stem cells that were harvested from family donors, processed and given this week (17 and 19 September).
“Both patients are currently undergoing immediate post-transplant care within the transplant unit at Lagos University Teaching Hospital”.
Despite associated risks like infection and infertility, two decades of advancements have enhanced bone marrow transplant outcomes. Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) proudly announces its sickle cell disease treatment program now meets global standards.
Under Dr. Seye Akinsete and Professor Edamisan Temiye’s expert leadership, the multidisciplinary team benefits from esteemed international collaborations, including Vanderbilt University’s Professor Adetola Kassim and Imperial College London’s Professor Josu de la Fuente.
LUTH’s Chief Medical Director and the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria’s National Director extend heartfelt appreciation to patients, families, hospital staff, the Lagos State Government, and federal health authorities for their unwavering support.
