By Sola Ogundipe
A comprehensive national campaign on Integrated Health Intervention Programme has taken off in Kano State, under which 736 children living with sickle cell disorder are benefiting from up to nine months’ supply of essential medications while healthcare workers and religious leaders are trained to strengthen disease prevention and management.
The intervention, brainchild of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, combines free medical outreach, health worker training, public awareness campaigns, blood donation, policy advocacy and socioeconomic support for affected families under a single programme.
The Senior Programme Manager, 2026 World Sickle Cell Day Project Lead, SCFN, Mr. Caleb Audu, the initiative is a coordinated strategy aimed at improving prevention, treatment, healthcare systems and long-term outcomes for people living with sickle cell disorder.
“Kano was selected as the pilot state because of its high burden of sickle cell disorder, with Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital alone caring for more than 20,000 registered patients.
“During the intervention, doses of hydroxyurea, folic acid, penicillin and Paludrine were distributed to the 736 children, providing enough medication to last up to nine months” Audu said.
Further, he noted that the extended medication supply is intended to reduce treatment interruptions caused by financial hardship, improve adherence to prescribed therapy and lower the risk of painful crises, infections and hospital admissions.
“The programme also strengthened the state’s healthcare workforce, with 213 healthcare professionals from 12 primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities received specialised training in comprehensive sickle cell management.
“The training covered early diagnosis, newborn screening, evidence-based treatment, crisis management, patient counselling and referral systems,” Audu said.
No less than 272 faith leaders were trained on genotype awareness, premarital counselling, newborn screening advocacy, stigma reduction and community education.
As part of the public awareness campaign, more than 1,000 residents participated in the Red Rally Campaign, described as Nigeria’s largest World Sickle Cell Day sensitisation walk.
“Blood donated by more than 300 voluntary donors who participated in a blood donation drive organised alongside the rally is being screened and will be made available to patients receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
“The initiative is part of a two-year programme under which beneficiaries will continue to be monitored to assess treatment adherence and health outcomes. Families will benefit from financial empowerment and livelihood support in subsequent phases to help reduce the long-term economic burden of caring for children with the condition.
The Kano programme is the first phase of a national intervention to be expanded across the six geopolitical zones, with the ultimate goal of reducing preventable deaths, improving quality of life and building stronger healthcare systems for people living with sickle cell disorder.
In a related development, more than 250 religious leaders across Kano State have pledged to champion genotype awareness, premarital screening and newborn screening as part of a renewed push to reduce the burden of sickle cell disorder.
“By equipping more than 250 religious leaders with knowledge on sickle cell prevention and management, the SCFN has significantly expanded its grassroots advocacy network across Kano State,” Audu said.
A key outcome was the formation of a Joint Inter-Faith Technical Platform on sickle cell disorder, intended to bring Christian and Muslim faithfuls under a coordinated framework to promote genotype awareness, support premarital counselling, strengthen advocacy campaigns, increase newborn screening, assist affected families and work with government and healthcare institutions on future interventions.
“The initiative marks an important milestone in building sustainable community ownership of sickle cell prevention and management efforts in Kano State,” Audu said.
The seminar also featured the presentation of advocacy awards to individuals recognised for their outstanding contributions to the fight against sickle cell disorder.
They resolved to incorporate sickle cell education into sermons, counselling sessions and community outreach activities while working closely with healthcare professionals to combat misinformation and discourage reliance on unverified alternative treatments.
