We are pleased to inform you that the first two babies have been screened for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) at the Special Care Baby Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital – ABUTH Main hospital, Shika in Nigeria.
The ARISE project seeks to strengthen the capacity of Kaduna State to diagnose and manage SCD through the development of a sustainable Newborn screening programme that integrates all levels of health care.
This programme also aims to develop standard protocols for diagnosis and treatment of SCD as well as to engage relevant stakeholders, such as parents, communities, leaders, patients, politicians, in formulating a policy that is acceptable and self-sustaining.
The programme will be implemented firstly in the Nigerian region of Giwa LGA. Other regions (Sabon Gari and lastly Zaria) will follow, with the overall aim to cover the whole State.
This is the first crucial step towards the achievement of the ARISE goals including the improvement in overall SCD outcomes in low-income countries such as Nigeria.
Stay tuned for further updates on this programme in Kaduna State!
