The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran, has said sickle cell disease remains a major health challenge in the state, especially among children.
He made this known on Friday while speaking to mark the global awareness day for sickle cell disease, themed Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.
He stressed the need for increased public awareness and early diagnosis.
“Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects many people in our society. It is associated with painful crises, infections, stroke, organ damage, disability, and even early death,” he said.
The commissioner described the situation in Kano as alarming, noting that the prevalence of the disease remains high across different age groups.
“In Kano, the prevalence is still high. Among children under one year, it is about 1.5 per cent, while between ages one to five, it can be as high as 35 per cent. This is very serious,” he said.
He explained that the state government has introduced several measures to reduce the burden of the disease and improve the lives of patients.
According to him, a new multidisciplinary sickle cell centre has been established and is ready for commissioning by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“We have just completed the establishment of a sickle cell centre, fully equipped and ready. It will be commissioned any moment from now,” he said.
Labaran added that the government has also trained health workers to improve care for patients.
“Last year alone, we trained about 120 healthcare workers to strengthen the management of sickle cell disease,” he said.
He said over 10,000 patients have already been enrolled in a care programme designed to support vulnerable people living with the condition.
“We have enrolled 10,647 patients into care, providing them with free health services. This shows our commitment to ensuring that no patient is left behind,” he said.
The commissioner emphasised the importance of genotype testing, especially before marriage, to help prevent the disease.
“When two carriers marry, there is a high chance of having a child with sickle cell. That is why premarital screening is very important,” he explained.
He also called for sustained public awareness, noting that proper information can help reduce new cases.
“If people are well informed, they can make better decisions and help prevent the spread of the disease,” he said.
Labaran further assured that the government will continue to provide essential drugs and improve referral systems to ensure patients receive proper care, especially in rural areas.
