New York:Nigeria has called on international institutions, development partners, philanthropies, researchers, and the private sector to unite efforts in tackling Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on a global scale.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Iziaq Salako, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this appeal during the inauguration of OneSCD, a global partnership aimed at advancing equity and transforming SCD care, at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Salako emphasized the need for investment in country-owned systems and the expansion of proven SCD interventions from pilot stages to national levels. He highlighted that the global response to SCD faces severe inequities, structural bottlenecks, fragmentation, and has historically been deprioritized.
He noted that nearly eight million people worldwide are affected by SCD, with more than 75% residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria bears the highest global burden, with 150,000 to 180,000 Nigerian babies born with the condition annually, making it a national priority integrated within Nigeria’s health agendas.
Salako stated that OneSCD aims to connect political leaders, technical experts, lived experiences, and financial resources to support country-led actions. As a leading country in this initiative, Nigeria will integrate early diagnosis and comprehensive care across all healthcare levels, strengthen accountability through better data and measurable targets, and ensure sustainable financing.
He stressed the importance of keeping individuals with SCD and their families at the heart of policy and program development. Nigeria will also share implementation experiences and advocate for SCD within global health agendas.
Nigeria’s national response includes pilot programs in Lagos, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory, testing scalable newborn screening through healthcare services. Six centers of excellence have been equipped for specialized diagnosis, and efforts are underway to improve access to diagnostics and medicines, strengthen supply chains, train health workers, and establish referral networks.
Salako concluded that the launch of OneSCD marks a significant step in elevating SCD from a neglected issue to one of international priority. He emphasized the need for coordinated action and accountability to ensure that a child’s birthplace does not determine their survival and quality of life with SCD. Nigeria is committed to contributing to and partnering in the OneSCD initiative.