In commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Day, the Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality healthcare for its citizens, especially individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease, SCD.
Speaking during a sensitisation event held in Ibadan, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, explained the importance of early detection, enhanced access to medical care, and community awareness in reducing the burden of the disease.
She emphasised that the state’s healthcare reforms are deeply rooted in the principles of universal health coverage and equity, ensuring that conditions such as SCD remain a consistent priority.
Dr Ajetunmobi explained that the state government’s strategy for addressing Sickle Cell Disease includes strengthening newborn screening for early diagnosis, expanding access to vital medications such as hydroxyurea and folic acid, and integrating SCD clinics into all levels of healthcare from primary to tertiary facilities.
She also stressed the need for accurate health data, which has led to the development of sickle cell disease registries to better understand and respond to disease trends, noting that the efforts reflect Governor Seyi Makinde’s broader vision for a robust and inclusive healthcare system in Oyo State.
The Commissioner stated that under the administration, several transformative initiatives have been implemented, including the Omituntun Free Health Mission, which continues to provide comprehensive free healthcare across all the 33 local government areas in the state, targeting vulnerable groups such as children under five and the elderly, while also offering free surgical services.
Dr Ajetunmobi hinted that more than 200 primary healthcare centres have been renovated, 150 others are currently undergoing upgrades, and over 3,000 health workers have been employed to improve service delivery.
She said: “Through the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), more than 400,000 residents now have access to affordable and consistent healthcare.”
The Commissioner urged citizens to take personal responsibility for their health by knowing their genotype, seeking early diagnosis, adhering to prescribed treatments, and embracing genetic counselling to make informed reproductive choices, encouraging policymakers to maintain and increase support for sickle cell programmes across the state.
The event, organised in collaboration with a non-governmental foundation, brought together patients, families, and students across the city., as 300 participants received free medications, and many also benefited from immediate health education and counselling services.
World Sickle Cell Day, observed globally on June 19, serves as a vital platform for raising awareness and improving understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living with sickle cell disease.