No fewer than 736 children living with sickle cell disorder in Kano State have received up to nine months’ supply of essential medications as part of a comprehensive national Integrated Health Intervention Programme launched to improve the prevention and management of the disease.
The initiative, organised by the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) to mark the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, combines free medical outreach, healthcare worker training, public awareness campaigns, blood donation drives, policy advocacy and socioeconomic support for affected families.
Speaking on the programme, the Senior Programme Manager and 2026 World Sickle Cell Day Project Lead of SCFN, Mr. Caleb Audu, said Kano was selected as the pilot state because of its high burden of sickle cell disorder.
According to him, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital alone manages more than 20,000 registered sickle cell patients.
He disclosed that the 736 beneficiaries received hydroxyurea, folic acid, penicillin and Paludrine, with supplies expected to last for up to nine months.
Audu explained that the intervention is designed to reduce treatment interruptions caused by financial hardship, improve adherence to medication and lower the risk of painful crises, infections and hospital admissions.
“The initiative is a coordinated strategy aimed at improving prevention, treatment, healthcare systems and long-term outcomes for people living with sickle cell disorder,” he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, 213 healthcare professionals drawn from 12 primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities across the state underwent specialised training in comprehensive sickle cell management.
The training covered early diagnosis, newborn screening, evidence-based treatment, crisis management, patient counselling and referral systems.
In addition, 272 Christian and Muslim religious leaders received training on genotype awareness, premarital counselling, newborn screening advocacy, stigma reduction and community education to strengthen grassroots awareness.
The campaign also featured a Red Rally, described by the organisers as Nigeria’s largest World Sickle Cell Day awareness walk, which attracted more than 1,000 participants.
Alongside the rally, over 300 voluntary blood donors donated blood, which is being screened for use by patients receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
Audu said the programme is the first phase of a two-year intervention during which beneficiaries will be monitored to assess treatment adherence and health outcomes.
He added that subsequent phases will include financial empowerment and livelihood support for affected families to reduce the long-term economic burden of caring for children living with sickle cell disorder.
The Kano intervention is expected to serve as a model for similar programmes across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the goal of reducing preventable deaths, improving the quality of life of patients and strengthening healthcare systems nationwide.
In a related development, more than 250 religious leaders in Kano pledged to champion genotype awareness, premarital screening and newborn screening in their communities.
The faith leaders also agreed to establish a Joint Inter-Faith Technical Platform on sickle cell disorder to coordinate advocacy efforts, promote public education, support affected families and collaborate with government and healthcare institutions on future interventions.
The seminar concluded with the presentation of advocacy awards to individuals recognised for their outstanding contributions to the fight against sickle cell disorder.
Participants further resolved to incorporate sickle cell education into sermons, marriage counselling sessions and community outreach programmes while working closely with healthcare professionals to combat misinformation and discourage reliance on unverified alternative treatments.
