Health
Sickle Cell: Foundation seeks transplant subsidy
By Olufemi Adediran
A nongovernmental organisation, Oladipupo Foundation for Sickle Cell, has called on the Federal Government to subsidise stem cell transplant to make the procedure more accessible and affordable for people living with sickle cell disorder in the country.
The promoter of the foundation, Dotun Oladipupo, made the call on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while addressing journalists on the sidelines of an awareness walk to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Day.
Oladipupo, a lecturer at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and a person living with sickle cell disorder, lamented that many Nigerians with the ailment could not afford the cost of stem cell transplant procedures.
According to him, stem cell transplant can help people living with sickle cell disorder to live improved and healthier lives, appealing for special government intervention to make the procedure available at affordable cost to the average family in the country.
Oladipupo added that the government should also partner with donor agencies to make new interventions in sickle cell treatment more affordable and accessible.
“Stem cell transplant is a wonderful scientific innovation and discovery. However, it is still very expensive, especially for the average family in Nigeria today. The Federal Government has a role to play here to make the procedure more accessible and affordable, so that many people living with sickle cell disorder can have an improved and healthy lifestyle.
“If the government can partner with donor agencies to make these treatments affordable, it will ameliorate the financial burden on parents or guardians of people living with sickle cell disorder.
“In corollary to that, equal opportunities in terms of employment must be given to people living with sickle cell disorder across government and private institutions in the country,” Oladipupo said.
He explained that the awareness walk was organised as a symbol and to draw the attention of the world, government and corporate organisations to the plight of people living with sickle cell disorder.
Oladipupo charged parents, guardians and caregivers of people with sickle cell disorder to stand by them and give them all the support they need, declaring that “sickle cell disorder is not a death sentence.”
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.
