Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally inaugurated the two-storey Paediatric Sickle Cell Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja yesterday.
The medical facility was donated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) occupied by Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. The intervention was initiated to address the inadequacies and strengthen the centre’s capacity to cope with the volume of sickle cell cases it attends to daily.
Before its redevelopment, the centre was housed in a tight-fitting bungalow that served as an extension of the paediatric hospital. It struggled with inadequate space for patients’ admission and facilities to provide the special care required by adolescent sickle cell sufferers.
Available statistics showed that Nigeria is a burdened nation with sickle cell disease, accounting for about 30 per cent of global cases. In Lagos, the disease is said to be the commonest cause of infant mortality, with surging cases being reported.
In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the intervention as a “remarkable donation” strategic to the state’s healthcare value chain, noting that the project would scale up response time to cases and stem infant mortality.
He said: “This collaboration with the Office of the SSA to the President on SDGs is a testament to our collective commitment to improving care for children living with sickle cell diseases. I acknowledge Princess Orelope-Adefulire’s vision and unwavering commitment to healthcare advancement made this centre a reality. This will not only transform our healthcare landscape, but will also add to the number of childcare facilities in Lagos.
“If we all work together, we can achieve a lot more together. This hospital will provide comprehensive care that will include early diagnosis, advanced treatment and continuous management to children that are suffering from the debilitating condition. The centre will also serve as a hub for research and education, which will foster a deeper understanding of the disease. More importantly, it will contribute to reducing the infant mortality index.”
Sanwo-Olu said the facility would nurture an environment where children would get holistic care tailored to their individual needs, including medical treatment and psychological support.
