Abuja: The Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria (HFN) has introduced a nationwide patient identification and early detection initiative to enhance the detection and management of bleeding disorders. The Executive Director, Mrs. Megan Adediran, revealed the details of the initiative, titled ‘Road to Clot: Reaching the Undiagnosed,’ which aims to bring basic bleeding disorder screening directly into communities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative seeks to identify undiagnosed cases of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding conditions. Adediran highlighted that bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia, remain largely unnoticed in many communities. This is not because they are rare, but because they are seldom recognized or properly diagnosed. In Nigeria, despite a population exceeding 230 million, only 941 individuals with haemophilia and related disorders are recorded in the national registry, reflecting a significant gap.
Adediran explained that the ‘Road to Clot’ program will shift screening from hospitals to communities using mobile testing units and community-based outreach points. Individuals will receive bleeding history assessments, basic clotting screening tests, and on-the-spot counseling. Abnormal results will lead to referrals for confirmatory testing and access to appropriate care and follow-up services.
The initiative aims to strengthen the national bleeding disorders registry, improve planning, and support advocacy for better policies, funding, and access to treatment. Adediran emphasized that ‘Road to Clot’ is not only a medical intervention but also a data-driven effort. It seeks to make bleeding disorders visible by providing necessary data that can no longer be ignored.
Mrs. Adediran also noted that treatment access in Nigeria heavily relies on support from the World Federation of Hemophilia Humanitarian Aid Programme. She urged the government and stakeholders to back the initiative, as early awareness, testing, and diagnosis are crucial to saving lives.
The initiative represents hope and dignity for families and individuals affected by undiagnosed bleeding disorders, and it strives for a future where no Nigerian suffers or dies due to unnoticed bleeding disorders. Additionally, Mr. Timothy Adediran, a 30-year-old, spoke about the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding haemophilia, advocating for increased public education on the disease. Mr. Bobby Johnson-Etukudoh also called for support to ensure grassroots-level identification and early detection of haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.