As Nigeria marks the 2025 World Sickle Cell Day, child health experts have reiterated the significance of premarital screening as a key strategy to prevent the spread of sickle cell disorder in the country.

Experts warns that while treatments can alleviate symptoms of sickle cell disease, the prohibitive costs and restricted availability of a potential cure, such as stem cell transplant, render prevention the most viable and effective strategy for Nigerians.

The World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed every year on June 19, aiming to enhance public understanding and awareness of blood disorders.

The theme for this year is focused on enhancing community empowerment through local actions, under the title “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy.”

Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, emphasized that the most effective way to prevent the disorder is through “premarital counselling and genetic testing”.

Dr. Alege stated that the most effective way to prevent the disorder is through premarital counselling and testing to ensure marriage between compatible partners, which would significantly reduce the spread of the ‘S’ gene in the population.

He described the disease as more effectively prevented than treated, as stem cell transplantation provides a definitive cure; however, its high cost and limited accessibility render it unattainable for many Nigerians.

He stated further that the effective approach to managing the disease lies in prevention rather than treatment. Currently, the only definitive cure is a stem cell transplant, which involves replacing abnormal bone marrow stem cells with healthy ones; however, this procedure is expensive and not widely accessible in Nigeria.

Managing sickle cell disorder necessitates ongoing palliative care to mitigate both sudden and long-term complications, particularly those stemming from blood vessel obstructions caused by sickle cells.

He advised drinking at least three litres of fluid daily to enhance blood flow.

“To prevent and manage health risks, it is advised to refrain from strenuous exercise, maintain a nutritious diet while avoiding iron supplements, and utilize malaria prevention measures such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and prophylactic medications like proguanil. Additionally, safeguarding against other infections may involve the use of antibiotics, such as Penicillin V”. This, he said

Alege stated that painful episodes can be treated with suitable painkillers and recommended folic acid to support red blood cell production.

The individual explained that Chronic blood transfusion programs utilizing haemoglobin AA blood every 6–8 weeks, along with medications such as Hydroxyurea that enhance fetal haemoglobin levels, may alleviate symptoms.

However, he warned that these drugs should be used only with medical supervision because of potential side effects.

In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Professor Aminu Mohammad, a Paediatric Surgery expert at Bayero University in Kano State, emphasized the critical role of premarital testing in the prevention of certain disorders
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He explained that if sickle cell carriers avoid marrying each other, it would help reduce the disease’s burden in Nigeria.

A researcher in congenital pediatric oncology emphasized the significance of premarital testing, stating that it plays a crucial role in disease prevention rather than focusing solely on treatment.

He said that sickle cell disease can be prevented if carriers or sicklers avoid marrying each other, noting that in some countries, strict adherence to genotype compatibility has nearly eliminated the disease.

Premarital genotype screening is a vital measure that can significantly decrease the incidence of sickle cell anemia, thereby enhancing the overall health of future generations.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder, and Nigeria has the highest number of cases.

Experts say sickle cell disease remains a major public health issue in Nigeria due to low awareness of genotype compatibility.

The World Health Organisation reports that about 7.7 million people worldwide have sickle cell disease, a number that has risen by over 40% since 2000.

SCD is estimated to cause over 375,000 deaths annually, according to the report.

The disease is most common in malaria-endemic areas, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for about 80% of cases, along with parts of the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South Asia.