FMC Lagos subsidises sickle cell disease treatment

By CHIOMA OBINNA & ESTHER ONYEGBULA

Irked by the financial burden faced by parents with children living with Sickle Cell Disorder, SCD, Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta Lagos, is distributing free drugs monthly to registered SCD patients in the hospital.

Also, the hospital is offering 50 per cent discount on all non surgical cases and 10 per cent discount for all surgical cases.

Announcing these benefits during a community mobilisation, participation and ownership of sickle cell control programme to sensitize community leaders, religious leaders, and the general public, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital and Chairperson, Sickle Cell Disorder Committee, Dr. Yewande Jinadu, said the drug distribution exercise will take place during the monthly stakeholders meeting every second Friday of every month as well as provision of 50 percent discount on all non surgical sickle cell disorder cases 10 percent discount to all surgical sickle cell disorder cases member of sickle cell disorder stakeholders meeting”

As one of the four selected centres covering South western part of the country for the management of Sickle cell disorder, the Federal Medical Centre, a sickle cell disorder project was inaugurated mid last year to provide facilities manpower, logistic support and possibly funds.

According the Jinadu, “In spite of the fact that health is a personal responsibility it is pertinent to note that it is a major public health concern that requires the involvement of every social fabric which includes the individual, community and the state to protect and promote health.”

In his presentation tagged: “Nigeria, our effort so far,” the Desk officer, Sickle Cell Disorder, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Alayo Shopekun, canvassed for compulsory testing for sickle cell gene in children and adults to enable everybody to know their genotype as well premarital counseling for carriers of sickle cell gene.

Mrs. Doris Gbemiloye of Genotype Foundation, lamented that the cost used to cater for a sickle cell child from age 0 to 21 is enough to cater for four children without the sickle cell disorder, hence everyone should join hands to put an end to the scourge of Sickle cell disorder.

National Coordinator Non-communicable Diseases Federal Ministry of Health Dr. Anthony Ozoro charged women leaders, Non-governmental organizations, community-based organization, community and religious leaders to spread the message by encouraging prospective couples in their communities to check their genotype before solemnizing marriage.