Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria (SCFN) Utilizing superior expertise and experience, the primary bone marrow transplant (BMT) was accomplished in Nigeria and West Africa, reaching a historic breakthrough.
with companions Lucethe group has established a state-of-the-art, technologically superior bone marrow transplant heart in Lagos. This ground-breaking surgical procedure marks a brand new period of healthcare for individuals with sickle cell illness in Nigeria, lowering the necessity for costly medical tourism and offering accessible, life-saving care to hundreds of Nigerians affected by the illness. therapy.
As Nigeria has the most important variety of individuals with sickle cell illness on the planet, this groundbreaking achievement highlights the nation’s essential position in main efforts to handle this world well being problem.
Understanding sickle cell illness and its therapies Sickle cell illness (SCD) stays a serious world public well being problem, affecting practically 100 million individuals and accounting for greater than 50% of deaths in probably the most extreme types of the illness. In sub-Saharan Africa, roughly 70% of births with sickle cell illness happen, and poor administration ends in excessive mortality earlier than the age of 5.
In Nigeria, 150,000 infants are born with SCD annually, and greater than 100,000 infants die earlier than their fifth birthday. Moreover, an estimated 50 million individuals carry sickle cell trait and are vulnerable to passing it on to future generations.
With the typical life expectancy of SCD sufferers in Nigeria being solely 20 years, the necessity for efficient therapies has by no means been larger. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is presently the one established therapy for the illness. For years, this therapy has been restricted and unavailable in Nigeria, the sickle cell illness capital of the world, forcing households to hunt BMT procedures overseas at excessive financial and socio-cultural prices.
Recognizing this essential hole, the Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria launched into a journey to determine Nigeria’s first state-of-the-art bone marrow transplant heart.
“The SCFN/LUTH Bone Marrow Transplant Heart is the primary of its variety in West Africa and we’re proud to supply protected, high-quality and accessible therapies for sickle cell illness in Nigeria,” mentioned Dr. Annette AkinsettSCFN CEO/Nation Director.
“We’ve got at all times believed that Nigerians ought to have entry to world-class healthcare at residence and now this can be a actuality.”
Annette Ofunne Akinsete, MBBS, DTM&H, MPH, FMCPH, (Nationwide Director/CEO)
Our BMT journey
First Effort (2009-2011): Thirty years in the past, Professor Olu Akinyanju OONestablished the Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria as one entity to handle all features of sickle cell illness – from advocacy, coaching and analysis to prevention, therapy, care and help. Desirous to deliver a treatment for the illness to Nigerians in Nigeria, the muse has partnered with the Mediterranean Institute of Hematology (IME) in Rome.
This collaboration enabled 50 Nigerian youngsters with SCD to efficiently obtain free bone marrow transplants in Italy. Sadly, this partnership resulted in 2015 attributable to monetary constraints in Rome.
Second Likelihood (2016): Undeterred, SCFN stays dedicated to its mission of offering worldwide normal BMT in Nigeria. 2016, professor. Akinyanju’s voiceand Dr. Annette AkinsettSCFN CEO/Nationwide Director met Professor Adetola Qasim.
Professor Kasim is an internationally famend professor of drugs and director of the Heart of Excellence for Sickle Cell Illness at Vanderbilt College in Tennessee, USA. Collectively they search to deliver the expertise and experience required for BMT into Nigeria.
“We’re proud to be a part of this groundbreaking program with SCFN and LUTH,” mentioned Professor Kassim, Professor of Medication (Hematology/Oncology) and Scientific Director of the Grownup Stem Cell Transplantation Program. Vanderbilt College Medical HeartNashville, USA.
“The success of this world collaboration represents an essential step ahead in guaranteeing that every one individuals, wherever they reside, have entry to the newest medical applied sciences and coverings.”
Coaching and Functionality Constructing (2016 – 2023): To make sure a strong basis for the BMT program, the Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria is sponsoring LUTH’s hematologists, pediatricians, radiologists, and grownup physicians at Vanderbilt College Medical Heart in 2016, 2021, and 2022 Conduct coaching in numerous areas of BMT.
Companions and Funding (2016 – 2023): Recognizing that significant progress can solely be achieved by way of robust partnerships, SCFN has partnered with Vanderbilt College Medical Heart on BMT coaching and LUTH on technical experience to construct a sustainable and world-class The BMT program laid the muse.
By SCFN’s strategic fundraising efforts and the beneficiant help of the SCFN Board Chairman, Chief Tunde AfolabiMFR, NNPC/Chevron, civil works commenced on the designated web site in Luce – Olikoye Ransom-Kuti Youngsters’s Emergency Centre. SCFN additionally receives important funding and help from the Lagos State Authorities, non-public sector organizations and a variety of people.
By 2021, SCFN had the middle rebuilt, totally furnished and totally outfitted, guaranteeing that it meets worldwide requirements. The state-of-the-art SCFN/LUTH BMT Heart was formally opened in January 2022 on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Lagos State Commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi.
The story of the SCFN/LUTH Bone Marrow Transplant Program wouldn’t be full with out acknowledging the position of the Lagos State Authorities, whose substantial donation initiated the event of the state-of-the-art BMT centre. This illustrates the facility of partnerships.
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Course of
First profitable transplant (2024): Final month, the primary two sufferers, a toddler and an grownup, had been admitted to the SCFN/LUTH BMT Heart. After weeks of preparation, together with chemotherapy and blood transfusions, bone marrow stem cells are harvested from a household donor and injected into the affected person. After weeks of intensive care, each sufferers have now been discharged and positioned underneath statement.
“Our bone marrow transplant expertise has been excellent, filled with hope and certainty. I’ve full confidence within the wonderful care obtained on the Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria/LUTH BMT Centre. From admission to discharge, the employees had been there across the clock.
“The post-transplant care was additionally very thorough and attentive, together with common check-ups, remedy changes, and detailed follow-up testing. I actually could not have requested for a greater expertise. The price of touring overseas for therapy is just too excessive. I deeply respect SCFN’s dedication. It’s onerous to place into phrases how grateful I’m for making this therapy attainable and accessible, turning our hopes and people of so many others into actuality.
The success of those surgical procedures is a testomony to the tireless efforts of the Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria, the technical and medical experience of the LUTH staff, the continued supervision of our visiting marketing consultant Professor Kassim and the rising capabilities of the Nigerian healthcare system.
“Partnering with SCFN on this historic program highlights our shared dedication to bettering well being care outcomes for Nigerians residing with sickle cell illness,” mentioned Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director at LUTH. “This BMT heart is a serious leap ahead in offering accessible therapy to those that want it most.”
SCFN/LUTH Bone Marrow Transplant Group
Trying to the longer term
SCFN’s journey is much from over. Bone marrow transplant surgical procedure, whereas groundbreaking, stays costly, and SCFN goals to make it accessible to those that want it. Many individuals with SCD reside under the poverty line and face important boundaries to care. This highlights the pressing want for multi-sector collaboration and monetary help to create a sustainable mannequin for the therapy of SCD in Nigeria.
To handle these challenges, SCFN is presently growing the Entry to Care Initiative, a digital platform that connects sponsors with sufferers in want of monetary help whereas transparently monitoring funding and therapy progress. After a whole bunch of BMT consultations, with 127 sufferers doubtlessly eligible for the process, the necessity for BMT was clear.
SCFN continues to hunt partnerships with authorities businesses, non-public organizations and philanthropists to broaden this system. We will work collectively to make this life-saving therapy extra accessible to all Nigerians residing with sickle cell illness.
About Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria
The Sickle Cell Basis of Nigeria is a world nonprofit chief devoted to stopping, caring for, curing and managing sickle cell illness by way of medical companies and applications. The Basis was registered in November 1994 to handle essential points similar to capability constructing, analysis, coverage improvement, coverage implementation, monitoring and analysis required for the continued administration and management of Sickle Cell Illness (SCD) in Nigeria.
SCFN/LUTH BMT Heart
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