A foundation has called for greater investment in locally developed solutions to sickle cell disease, urging Nigeria to strengthen research, healthcare and community-based interventions to address the condition.
The foundation made the call while highlighting the need for Nigeria to develop approaches that reflect the country’s specific healthcare needs and the experiences of people living with sickle cell disease.
It stressed the importance of supporting Nigerian researchers and healthcare professionals to develop affordable and accessible solutions for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The organisation also called for stronger public awareness to improve understanding of sickle cell disease and tackle misconceptions surrounding the condition.
According to the foundation, better access to screening and genetic counselling could help families make informed reproductive decisions and improve early identification of the condition.
It further urged government at all levels to strengthen healthcare services for people living with sickle cell disease, particularly by improving access to essential medicines, pain management and specialist care.
The foundation said many families affected by the condition face financial and social challenges, making affordable healthcare and sustained support particularly important.
It also advocated increased funding for research into treatments and technologies that could be developed or adapted locally, rather than relying heavily on imported solutions.
The organisation called for collaboration among government agencies, medical institutions, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, civil society groups and affected communities to develop sustainable interventions.
It said Nigeria’s large population affected by sickle cell disease also provides an opportunity to build stronger local expertise and research capacity around the condition.
The foundation urged policymakers to make sickle cell care and research a more prominent part of Nigeria’s public health agenda, arguing that home-grown solutions could help improve outcomes while reducing the cost and accessibility barriers associated with treatment.
