The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking the establishment of Sickle Cell Disorder, Research, and Therapy Centres in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshal Katung (Kaduna South), aims to strengthen the national response to sickle cell anaemia — an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells, instead of maintaining a flexible disc shape, become stiff and crescent-shaped.
This deformity impedes blood flow in small vessels, leading to severe pain, organ damage, and other complications.
In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, Senator Katung said the proposed legislation seeks to expand access to specialised care for sickle cell patients, improve data collection and research, and provide educational and psychosocial support for affected individuals, families, and communities.
He explained that the bill would also provide a legal framework for the proper management and administration of the centres, ensuring they operate effectively and sustainably.
Contributing to the debate, Senators Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) and Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) emphasised the importance of genotype testing before marriage and called for increased public education to curb the prevalence of the disease.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative action, with a directive to report back within four weeks.
“As the bill progresses, we must also integrate preventive strategies to reduce new cases. It is crucial that we find every possible way to support those already suffering from the disease while promoting awareness and prevention nationwide,” Barau said.