By Gabriel  Enogholase

Athourities of the University of Benin teaching Hospital (UBTH) has disclosed that it would require the sum of N1 billion to improve its facilities at the sickle centre cell and upgrade it from a 4-bed space to full grown international centre.

Head of the Sickle Cell Unit in the hospital, Dr. Godwin Bazuaye made this known yesterday in Benin while delivering lecture at a ceremony organized by the Sickle Cell Centre as part of activities marking this year’s World Sickle Cell Day.

Dr. Bazuaye who spoke on the theme “Stem Cell Transplant: Cure for Sickle Cell Disease,” urged the National Sickle Cell Centre to channel the resources proposed to sponsor sickle cell carriers to Italy for transplant to the centre.

He noted that the cost of transplant in Italy was N17 million per sufferer, and $250,000 in the United States of America.

He said studies have indicated that the sickle cell disorder was prevalent among the black population, adding that Nigeria accounts for 20% of carriers. Earlier, Dr. Oshotse Ohenhen, Chairman of the State Sickle Cell Centre attributed tenacious religious belief to some casualties recorded from the decease. She said many parents would not want blood donated to their wards even at the point of death.