Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Friday, inaugurated a Paediatric Sickle Cell Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). 

The centre was donated to LASUTH by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs). 

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the centre would provide comprehensive care that includes early diagnosis, advanced treatment, and continued management to children suffering from the debilitating sickle cell condition.

According to him, the centre will serve as a hub for research and education, fostering a greater awareness and a deeper understanding of sickle cell disease.

“This will not only transform our total healthcare landscape but will definitely add to the number of childcare facilities that already exist in our state health institutions.

“It will raise the capacity of the state’s medical services and, very importantly, contribute to improving the state’s infant and maternal mortality index,” he said. 

The governor noted that the centre would provide an environment where children could receive holistic care tailored to their needs, from medical treatment to psychological support.

Earlier, Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, restated the federal government’s commitment to combat non-communicable diseases and improve healthcare outcomes for Nigerians. 

Mr Alausa said sickle cell disease, alongside malaria, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases, represents a substantial health burden for the country, worsening morbidity and mortality of citizens.

“At the federal level, we recognise the urgent need to address these challenges and are committed to building a robust infrastructure to manage and mitigate the impact in collaboration with our subnational government,” he added.

The minister stressed the importance of leveraging the resources to its fullest potential, ensuring that it delivers on its promise to improve lives. 

Also, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, said the centre would enhance the quality of care to children who have Sickle Cell disease. 

Mr Orelope-Adefulire noted that the centre was an intervention to reduce the number of under-five child mortality and strengthen the attainment of SDG targets in the country. 

(NAN)