Professor of Hematology and Blood Transfusion at the University of Lagos, Prof Akanmu Sulaimon, has disclosed that only one per cent of Nigerians is diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare genetic bleeding disorder that causes the blood to take a long time to clot because of deficiency in one of several blood clotting factors.
Sulaimon, who disclosed this at a media round table organised by Pfizer to commemorate World Hemophilia Day, said though the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) had estimated that there are 9,000 to 12,000 people living with it (PLWH) in Nigeria, it is sad to know that only one per cent of that figure is diagnosed in the country.
This is even as the hematologist has called for more awareness on the condition, while driving home the need for innovation in access to hemophilia treatments.
“People with hemophilia are at risk for excessive and recurrent bleeding from modest injuries which have the potential to be life-threatening. People with severe hemophilia often bleed spontaneously into their muscles or joints, or rarely into other critical closed spaces such as the intracranial space, where bleeding can be fatal,” he said.
To improve awareness of hemophilia in Africa, Sulaimon disclosed that WFH was working closely in partnership with hemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) in 29 African countries to share knowledge and build global awareness through information-exchange, education and training. WFH also provides approximately 24 million units of clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) per year to patients in Sub-Saharan Africa through a humanitarian aid programme. Pfizer is a visionary partner of the World Federation of Hemophilia for World Hemophilia Day,” he added.
The medical director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Pfizer, Kodjo Soroh, said Pfizer’s goal was to make sure patients living with hemophilia are seen, heard and never forgotten as it continues to work tirelessly to find breakthroughs and therapeutic options to change their lives.
