By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
A professor of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Edo University Iyamho, Marcellinus Uchechukwu Nwagu has advocated for the establishment of stem cell transplant centres, one per six geopolitical zones in the country to make the service available and affordable to average Nigerians.
He made the call while delivery the 17th inaugural lecture series of the Edo University Iyamho, 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 meaning one haematologist serving a population of one million Nigerians.
Nwagu said treating and managing sickle cell 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 (Bone marrow transplantation)
Nwagu also said blood donation is still not regular and very low in Nigeria making blood product not always available, saying there is urgent need to create more centres for blood bank as the Aphaeresis machine used to prepare blood product 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 one of the greatest challenges with the use of cytotoxic drugs, is the non-availability and accessibility, saying they are not readily available; and when they do, they are very expensive and out of the reach of the common man.
The inaugural lecturer however recommended that there should be a compulsory determination of sickle cell status among prospective couples before getting married. If possible, let there be a legislation making sickle cell screening compulsory before marriage.
“There should be a programme by the government to ensure cytotoxic drugs are available in our hospitals and affordable, just like the pepfar programme for HIV-drugs
“Nigerian first ladies should take it as their pet projects to sponsor one HbSS transplant per year ie 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
Earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Dawood Egbefo, said inaugural lecture would soon be a key criterion for further academic progression.
According to him, 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”, he said.
