National Guideline for the Control and Management of Sickle Cell Disease
Guideline · Health
Guidelines provide standardized protocols for screening, managing, and controlling sickle cell disease in Nigeria's healthcare system. They target healthcare workers, people with the disease, their families, genetic counsellors, and public health managers. This aims to reduce morbidity and mortality through early detection and education.
National Guideline for the Control and Management of Sickle Cell Disease
What Is This Policy?
A clinical guideline providing standardized protocols for the screening, management, and control of sickle cell disease (SCD) across all levels of the Nigerian healthcare system, given that Nigeria bears the highest global burden of sickle cell disease.
Who Does It Target?
Healthcare workers at primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities Persons living with sickle cell disease and their families Genetic counsellors and reproductive health service providers Public health programme managers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with sickle cell disease in Nigeria through early detection, comprehensive management, public education, and genetic counselling.
Key Features
Newborn Screening: Protocols for early detection of SCD through routine neonatal screening programmes Comprehensive Care: Management guidelines covering pain crises, infections, anaemia, and organ complications Hydroxyurea Therapy: Indications and monitoring for the use of hydroxyurea in eligible patients Genetic Counselling: Pre-marital and pre-conception counselling to reduce transmission of the sickle cell gene Public Education: Community awareness campaigns about sickle cell trait, inheritance, and disease management
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active across healthcare facilities Coverage: All tiers of the healthcare system Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases Division Partners: Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, WHO, development partners
How to Access
The guideline is distributed to healthcare facilities through the Federal Ministry of Health. Access through health facility medical libraries and pharmacy units Obtain from state ministries of health Available through the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria
Impact & Metrics
Nigeria accounts for approximately 25% of the global sickle cell disease burden, with an estimated 150,000 babies born with SCD annually. Consistent application of these guidelines is expected to significantly reduce childhood mortality from the disease.
Official Resources
Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Non-Communicable Diseases Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja
Legal Framework
Operates under the National Health Act 2014, the National Sickle Cell Disease Policy, the Blood Transfusion Policy, and the Sickle Cell Disease Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health. Draws on WHO guidelines on sickle cell disease management and the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network standards.