Nigeria has the highest concentration of patients with sickle cell disease – Prof. Osaghae



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Professor Dominic Osaghae, dean of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine at Igbinedion University of Okada in Edo, said that Nigeria has the highest concentration of sickle cell victims in the world.

Osaghae spoke in an interview on the sidelines of his inaugural conference, reports NAN.

The theme of his presentation is "The obstacles on the road that lead to child survival: the intervention of a pediatrician". "

Osaghae, professor of pediatrics and child health, defined sickle cell disorders as a hereditary condition and a noncommunicable disease.

"This is the result of transmission of the sickle hemoglobin gene to a child, either in double dose (homozygous sickle cell disease) or in combination with another usual hemoglobin (heterozygous sickle cell abnormalities)."

He stated that the disease caused high morbidity and mortality in children at all stages of their childhood.

According to him, it would affect 12 million people in the world. Nigeria has four million, adding that 25% of Nigerians carry the gene.

The doctor explained that the disease "contributes up to 5% of deaths under 5 years in Africa; 9% of these deaths in West Africa and up to 16% of deaths of children under 5 years in some countries of West Africa. "

According to him, these statistics indicate that sickle cell disease is probably the most neglected public health disorder with serious morbidity and mortality.

He said that the disease contributed significantly to preventing a safe and comfortable trip on the road for the survival of Nigerian children.

The professor explained that the disease was characterized by various problems such as infections and infestations, recurrent bone pain, anemia attacks, organ failure, among others.

Osaghae said that the disease did not have any curative treatment available.

He pointed out, however, that its management "requires lifelong care and support, including counseling, the use of routine drugs and agents modifying the disease," he said. hydration and blood transfusion, badgesics and antibiotics in general for maintaining health in crisis management.

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