The Sickle Cell Club, Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Lafia chapter, has appealed to the hospital management to subsidise treatment for people living with sickle cell disease to ease their financial burden.
The President of the club, Abubakar Akwe, made the appeal when he led members of the organisation on a courtesy visit to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Hassan Ikrama, in Lafia.
Akwe said subsidised treatment would enable patients to access essential healthcare services without being overwhelmed by the cost of managing the condition.
He said, “We appeal to the management of FUTH Lafia to consider subsidising treatment for sickle cell patients, particularly consultation, laboratory tests, essential medications, blood transfusion, hip replacement and surgical procedures.”
According to him, sickle cell anaemia remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with many patients struggling to afford regular treatment.
“The cost of treatment is a major burden for many patients and their families. Any intervention that reduces this financial pressure will go a long way in improving access to quality healthcare,” he said.
Akwe also disclosed that the club planned to engage the Nasarawa State House of Assembly on legislation that would make premarital sickle cell screening compulsory and provide for subsidised treatment for people living with the condition.
He said the initiative was part of the club’s broader advocacy efforts to improve prevention, awareness and healthcare for people affected by sickle cell disease.
Akwe further disclosed that the current leadership of the club was elected on June 19, 2026, with a mandate to improve the welfare and healthcare of people living with the condition.
Meanwhile, the initiator of the club at the hospital, Dr Ozhe Sunday, commended the management of FUTH Lafia for providing a platform for the establishment of the organisation.
Sunday said the club was created to promote sickle cell awareness, support patients and their families, and advocate policies that would improve care and reduce the financial burden associated with treatment.
“The club is intended to serve as a platform for awareness, patient support and advocacy for better healthcare policies. We want patients and their families to know that they are not alone in this journey,” he said.
He added that the visit underscored FUTH Lafia’s commitment to strengthening comprehensive and patient-centred care for people living with sickle cell disease.
Responding, the CMD, Dr Ikrama, expressed appreciation to the club’s leadership for the visit and pledged the hospital’s support for its activities.
“We appreciate your initiative and commitment to improving the welfare of sickle cell patients. The management will provide the necessary support to enable the club to succeed,” Ikrama said.
He assured the delegation that the hospital would collaborate with the club in its efforts to promote improved healthcare services and better support for people living with sickle cell disease.
, Lafia chapter, has appealed to the hospital management to subsidise treatment for people living with sickle cell disease to ease their financial burden.){kind=link}