Hemophilia Foundation Urges Funding, Chromosome Compatibility Campaign

A non-governmental organisation, Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria has tasked the federal government to get involved in the procurement of medication for the treatment of patients in Nigeria.

The foundation noted that Nigeria depends on 100 percent donations for the treatment of patients in the country from international donors.

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder primarily affecting males—but females can also have hemophilia. The genetic disorder impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots, a process needed to stop bleeding.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja the president, HFN, Mrs Megan Adediran, stressed the need for chromosome compatibility enlightenment before marriage.

On funding, she noted that there are other countries in Africa where their patients get their drugs 100 percent purchased by their government.

“So, we need governments to come in and purchase this medication. So to help these patients that’s the first thing we need.

According to her, “Government’s involvement in the procurement of products is vital. The fact is Nigeria depends 100 percent on donations to treat our patients. And donations are not sustainable.” There are other countries in Africa where their patients get their drugs 100 percent purchased by their government. So, we need governments to come in and purchase these factors. So to help these patients that’s the first thing you need.

On her part, Consultant HTC, National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Christiana Udo, stressed the need for chromosome compatibility before marriage to halt the scourge.

Udo noted that haemophilia is typically inherited from one’s parents through an X chromosome carrying a nonfunctional gene.

On his part, the deputy director, NCDs, Ministry of Health, Dr Alayo Sopekan, said the government is very much committed and is at the forefront of prevention and control of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders and other non-communicable diseases through the Federal Ministry of Health by strategically eliminating the risk factors, improving the management of these diseases as well as preventing their complications.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health is on the verge of developing a standard national guideline for the control and management of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders to ensure uniformity of care and standardized procedure in the principles and practice of the management of Hemophilia in Nigeria.

“The ministry believes that this will improve the quality of care and management outcomes for people living with the disease at all levels of care and invariably the quality of lives of PWH, in addition to an objective comparison of country data on morbidity and mortality due to Hemophilia and other Inherited Bleeding disorders and its complications.

“This measure is also aimed at identifying and integrating standard diagnostic and screening methods for effective detection in children and other age groups for early interventions, improving the quality of services available and standard of care for Hemophilia and other Inherited Bleeding disorders at the different levels of healthcare in Nigeria,” he added.