NGO Decries Govt’S Attitude towards Sickle Cell

A non-governmental organisation, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has expressed its displeasure over the plight of those suffering from Sickle Cell disease, especially Nigerians.

In an interview with Daily Times, the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Kehinde Akinsanya, said, “Nigeria has the largest burden of sickle cell disorder in the world.”

According her, the major challenge is unsustainable funding, “though with government support for outreaches, partnerships and collaboration with MTN Foundation and some banks, research centre and sickle cell, dedicated clinics are established in Benin, Asaba, Kano, Birnin Kebbi, and Lagos.

Also speaking, a sickle cell survivor, Adeshina Adetunbosun, said, “The Nigerian government is not doing anything”. He said that voluntary support from the financial confines of the haves is basically what is sustaining the awareness on Sickle Cell Disease.

“It took over 10 years before the government launched the National Guideline for the Control and Management of Sickle Cell Disease,” he said.