A Consultant Haematologist, Dr Funto Kalejaiye, has urged
all tiers of government to provide accurate diagnosis, health education and
genetic counselling to sickle cell patients and their relatives.
Kalejaiye, who works with the Lagos University Teaching
Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, spoke on Wednesday in Lagos.
She said that counselling and educating those suffering from
sickle cell disorder and their relatives on how to manage the disease could
promote the life span of sufferers.
“Some of the
sickle cell patients are always having psychological problems such as
depression and rejection which often affects their activities in the society”.
“As a result
of this, we have sickle cell club, where we gather and discuss sickle cell
issues for both parents and patients for encouragement,” Kalejaiye said.
“Sickle cell
disease comprises different genotypes and haemoglobin SS is the commonest”.
“Other forms
of sickle cell disease include haemoglobin SC and S beta thalassaemia.
“These
results in reduced oxygen supply to and cause pain in parts of the body. It
causes tissue damage, and when it happens repeatedly, long-term damage occurs,” Kalejaiye said.
According to her, “over
100,000 babies born in Nigeria annually have sickle cell disorder”.
Kalejaiye said that some complications were short-lived,
others long-term, while the crisis was the most complication that occurs.
“Sickle cell
crisis refers to recurrent episodes of pain that come and go which are often in
the arms, legs, chest and back”.
“Infection is
also a complication with sickle cell patients”
“Other
complications include anaemia, hand-foot syndrome, joint damage, kidney problems,
stroke and eye problems,” Kalejaiye
said.
She said that the management of sickle cell disease includes
counselling, health education and regular clinic appointments.
“Others are
drug compliance, prompt consultation for symptoms, daily folate supplementation
and avoidance of known triggers of painful crisis.
“Sickle cell
patients should maintain a steady state of health to prevent complications as
seek timely interventions when complications arise,’’ she said.
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