In Nigeria, one of the painful realities that face countless Nigerians and their families is the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This occurs when the red blood cells, meant to be flexible carriers of life-giving oxygen, become rigid and sickle-shaped.
At Marie Claire Nigeria, we’re committed to empowering women and fostering a healthier future for all. That’s why we’re diving deep into SCD. We have explored its history in Nigeria, the factors contributing to its prevalence, and the symptoms you need to know. We also shed light on the social and emotional impact of SCD and the ongoing fight for better treatment options.
Read More: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Why the fight continues to matter now more than ever
The severity of the disease has prompted the emergence of various organisations dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals living with this condition. These organisations play a crucial role in providing resources, advocacy, and assistance to sickle cell patients and their families, contributing to improved quality of life, and raising awareness about this genetic blood disorder. Let’s explore the impactful work of these organisations in the journey towards better health outcomes for those affected by sickle cell disease.
The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN)
The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation dedicated to the proper care and control of sickle cell disorder in Nigeria. SCFN plays a vital role in raising awareness, providing education, and offering various forms of support to patients and their families.
The foundation conducts research, organises medical missions, and advocates for improved healthcare services for those living with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. It also operates a private-public partnership (PPP) with the Nigerian government through its affiliations with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital & College of Medicine, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Sickle Cell Clinics supervised in Delta, Edo, Kano, and Lagos States and through its initiatives and programs, SCFN contributes significantly to the well-being and empowerment of the sickle cell community in the country.
The Sickle Cell Support Society Nigeria (SCSSN)
This organisation works tirelessly to educate the public, support patients, fund surgeries, and promote research efforts to enhance the management of sickle cell disease in Nigeria. The Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria has made progress in advocacy for the control of sickle cell disease, building collaborations for scientific research, and establishing guidelines for uniform management of patients with the disease at primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels. This has been done by working closely with the government and professional groups both within the country and in the Diaspora.
The SCSSN has several partnerships already active in different parts of the country involved with research and other projects, including the following: Sickle cell cohort study, infection surveillance, genomic studies (H3Africa, African Pharmacogenomics Network), Sickle CHARTA, pilot newborn screening programs, collaboration with King’s and Guy’s Hospitals, London, and the FIOCRUZ foundation, Bahia, Brazil, and the University of Chicago.
Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation
SCHAF at Free Point of Care genotype test
The Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation is another organisation that focuses on supporting individuals with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. They provide medical assistance, raise awareness, offer support services, and advocate for improved healthcare services for those affected by the condition. Their vision is to reduce the burden of Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria through awareness, care, and research with an approach that combines health education, genotype, and genetic counseling.
They hope to remove the biases and stigma around SCD through compassion and education by empowering patients and their families to live better, healthier lives. With a team of experts and a wealth of international research and experience, they work side by side with communities to create lasting change
Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF)
This is another well-known organisation that offers various programs and initiatives to improve the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. SCAF provides a range of medical assistance to individuals with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. This assistance includes access to essential medications, blood transfusions, regular check-ups, and specialised care tailored to the needs of sickle cell patients.
The foundation also offers support services such as genetic counseling, pain management strategies, and referrals to healthcare professionals with expertise in managing sickle cell disease. SCAF’s dedication to these projects reflects its commitment to enhancing the well-being of the sickle cell community in Nigeria.
