Ilorin – Nigeria has the largest population of
people with Sickle Cell Disease in the world, with
over 150,000 babies born with the serious
condition every year, researches have shown.

Mr Lanre Alege, a Pharmacist with the University
of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said this in a lecture
delivered during June edition of the keep fit
exercise for staff of the hospital at the Kwara
stadium on Saturday.

He said it was estimated that only five per cent of
the children with Sickle Cell Disease live past the
age of 10 in Nigeria, compared to over 96 per cent
surviving into adulthood in the United Kingdom and
the United States.

Alege, who is the Coordinator of the programme,
also disclosed that the recurrent pain and
complications of the disease can interfere with
many aspects of patients life, including education,
employment and psychological development.

He said that Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic
disorder due to the presence of an abnormal form
of haemoglobin in the red blood cells, called
haemoglobin S (Hb S) instead of haemoglobin A (Hb
A)

According to him, the red blood cells
(Erythrocytes) may contain normal haemoglobin AA
only, a mixture of A and S (Hb AS) or S only.

“Persons with AS haemoglobin have sickle cell
traits, and are referred to as sickle cell carriers,
while those with haemoglobin SS only (Hb SS)
suffers from sickle cell disease.

“Those with AA are normal without sickle cell
traits.
“Haemoglobin in the red blood cell is responsible
for the transportation of oxygen in the body,” he
said.
Alege said that the topic, ‘Sickle Cell Disease’ was
carefully chosen because June 19 of every year is
celebrated as world Sickle Cell Day, and Nigeria
joined the rest of the world to celebrate it on
Friday.

According to him, there is presently no cure for
sickle cell disease, but the cost effective
treatment exists for the pain and other aspects of
the disease.

He listed the most important components of the
treatment to include early interventions with
analgesics, antibiotics, rest, good nutrition, folic
acid supplementation and high fluid intake.
“At times, invasive procedures such as blood
transfusion and surgery may be needed. Sickle Cell
Disease is completely preventable,” he added.

Among the recommendations, he gave, for the
prevention are that carriers should not marry AS
or SS, education about inheritable nature of the
disease.

He stressed the need for public education to
determine genotype, so that incompatible people do
not fall into love let alone marry each other.

This is serious!