A Professor of Hematology and Blood Transfusion at the Edo University Iyamho, Edo State, Marcellinus Uchechukwu Nwagu, has called for legislation to make screening for determination of sickle cell status compulsory for intending couples.
He also called on the Government to ensure that cytotoxic drugs are available in hospitals and affordable, like the pepfar programme for HIV drugs.
Nwagu made the call while delivering the 17th inaugural lecture series of the University, titled: “We are transporters; We are soldiers; We are sealants; We swim in our waters; but we have our problems”.
Prof. Nwagu who revealed that there are about 200 registered haematologists in Nigeria serving a population of about 200 million people, making one haematologist to serve a population of one million Nigerians.
He, called for the establishment of at least one stem cell transplantation centre in each of the six geographical zones in the country to make the service available and affordable to average Nigerians.
“If possible, let there be a legislation making sickle cell screening compulsory before marriage,” he said.
The University Don noted that the treatment and management of sickle cells is generally to alleviate symptoms and promote good quality of live, adding that the only cure for sickle cell disease is successful haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, that is, bone marrow transplantation. He further noted that blood donation is still very low and not regular in Nigeria, making blood products not always available.
He said there was urgent need to create more centres for blood bank as the Aphaeresis machine used to prepare blood products is not available in many of the hospitals
According to him for the prevention of the disease more awareness needs to be created.
“The awareness is still very low in rural communities, especially in faith-based institutions/churches.
“We recommend more awareness to be created in the churches and free routine population screening to be encouraged even in primary schools as many adults don’t even know their Haemoglobin genotype,” he said.
The Hematologist urged Nigerian first ladies to take it as their pet projects to sponsorship of one HbSS transplant per year, that is, 36 cases per year and 142 cases per tenure of four years.
“Government should subsidize the cost of diagnosis and management of haematological cancers, provide up-to-date diagnostic equipments (morphology is not enough) and ensure implementation of health policy that would benefit patients with haematological cancer,” he stated.
Earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Dawood Egbefo, disclosed that inaugural lecture would soon be a key criterion for further academic progression.
He noted that inaugural lectures are designed to encourage professors to present their inaugural lectures within twelve months of their promotion to the rank as the idea is to foster a culture of intellectual exchange and scholarly contribution and also to encourage our younger professors to take advantage of this platform to share their expertis.
“This is a valuable opportunity for them to outline their future research plans and showcase their work before achieving the rank of full professor.
“Our University stands as a leader in academic excellence, supported by a highly qualified and dedicated staff who impart knowledge across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
“The curricula offered within our nine Faculties are carefully designed to reflect and support the University’s mission and vision,” he added.
