- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) announced a bone marrow transplant program for sickle cell disease
- First transplants were performed on September 17 and 19, 2024
- Comprehensive care includes newborn screening and chronic blood transfusion therapy
In a collaborative effort to tackle sickle cell disease in Nigeria, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) have initiated a bone marrow transplant programme.
This was disclosed in a joint statement released by Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director of LUTH, and Dr Annette Akinsete, National Director of SCFN, issued on Sunday, September 22.
The statement confirmed that LUTH has commenced bone marrow transplants for its first group of patients.
Comprehensive care programs include newborn screening, others
“They received a treatment regimen of exchange blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and anti-infective prophylaxis to prepare them for the infusion of bone marrow stem cells harvested from family donors.”
The stem cell infusions were carried out on September 17 and September 19, 2024, according to the report which added that both patients received immediate post-transplant care in the transplant unit at the LUTH.
The statement highlighted the various comprehensive care programmes established, including newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, and Transcranial Doppler screening to assess stroke risk in children.
“This is followed by chronic blood transfusion therapy and the increasing use of hydroxyurea therapy, which has improved the proportion of children surviving into adulthood. But it has not improved the proportion of adults living to older age, especially for the most severely affected.”
Sickle cell and bone marrow transplant, what you should know
Sickle cell disease presents major health challenges in Nigeria, leading to severe complications, organ damage, and a decreased life expectancy for those affected.
While bone marrow transplant is regarded as an effective treatment for sickle cell disease, it is accompanied by complications like infection, graft-versus-host disease, infertility, and even death.
Nonetheless, advancements in the last two decades have greatly enhanced the procedure, making it a viable choice for both children and adults with severe cases.
The statement further read, “Bone marrow transplant is now an approved therapy… requiring a multidisciplinary team approach and involves treatment and close follow-up for approximately 12 months.”
International specialists support LUTH’s bone marrow transplant programme
Despite their success, the complicated and costly nature of bone marrow transplants has pushed numerous patients to seek treatment abroad, leading to financial and emotional strain for families.
The LUTH’s bone marrow transplant initiative is reinforced by a collaborative team made up of paediatricians, adult haematologists, psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, and other medical personnel.
The programme is overseen by experts such as Prof. Adetola Kassim from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Prof. Josudela Fuente from the Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust, who joined the team in 2022.
Current programmes leverage prior initiatives
This programme leverages previous initiatives, such as the launch of a post-transplant clinic in 2019, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, where LUTH has been caring for patients who had sought treatment abroad.
“Recognising the gaps in care for individuals affected by the disease in Nigeria, SCFN and LUTH established a bone marrow transplant programme at LUTH.”
“Bone marrow transplant using a donor from a family member is an established cure for this disease.” the statement read.
10 everyday habits that could be harming your kidneys without you knowing
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that attention has turned once again to the human kidney in the Nigerian social media space after TG Omori’s recent failed kidney transplant generated a lot of buzz, with many sending prayers the video director’s way.
The report outlined lifestyles and habits to avoid maintaining a healthy kidney.