Sickle cell: Consultant Haematologist urges govts to provide accurate diagnosis, counselling

 

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.