World Sickle Cell Day: Oyo Offers Free Medication To 300 Persons Living With SCD

As part of activities marking this year’s World Sickle Cell Day, Oyo State Government has offered free medication to over 300 persons living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) at a sensitisation programme in Ibadan, the state capital.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality healthcare for its citizens, especially individuals living with SCD.

Speaking at the event held at Ikolaba High School, Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, explained the importance of early detection, enhanced access to medical care, and community awareness in reducing the burden of the disease.

Ajetunmobi emphasised that the state’s healthcare reforms were deeply rooted in the principles of universal health coverage and equity, ensuring that conditions such as SCD remain a consistent priority.

World Sickle Cell Day is observed globally on June 19 annually, serving as a vital platform for raising awareness and improving understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living with sickle cell disease.

The event, organised in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, brought together patients, families, and students across the city.

Ajetunmobi explained that the state government’s strategy for addressing Sickle Cell Disease includes strengthening newborn screening for early diagnosis, expanding access to vital medications such as hydroxyurea and folic acid, and integrating SCD clinics into all levels of healthcare from primary to tertiary facilities.

She also stressed the need for accurate health data, which has led to the development of sickle cell disease registries to better understand and respond to disease trends.

Ajetunmobi noted that these efforts reflect Governor Seyi Makinde’s broader vision for a robust and inclusive healthcare system in Oyo State.

She added that under Makinde’s administration, several transformative initiatives have been implemented, including the Omituntun Free Health Mission, which continues to provide comprehensive free healthcare across all 33 local government areas.

She explained that the mission targets vulnerable groups such as children under five and the elderly, while also offering free surgical services.

She disclosed that more than 200 primary healthcare centres have been renovated, 150 others are currently undergoing upgrades, and over 3,000 health workers have been employed to improve service delivery.

“Through the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), more than 400,000 residents now have access to affordable and consistent healthcare,” Ajetunmobi said.

She urged citizens to take personal responsibility for their health by knowing their genotype, seeking early diagnosis, adhering to prescribed treatments, and embracing genetic counselling to make informed reproductive choices.

The commissioner also encouraged policymakers to maintain and increase support for sickle cell programmes across the state.