Sickle Cell Club has appealed to the management of the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) Lafia to subsidise the treatment for sickle cell patients in the facility.
Abubakar Akwe, President of FUTH Lafia chapter of the club made the appeal while he led other officials on a courtesy visit to Dr Hassan Ikrama, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital on Wednesday in Lafia.
Akwe explained that the subsidy would
reduce the financial burden on sickle cell patients and improve their access to quality healthcare services and treatment.
He specifically said that the subsidy should cover consultation, laboratory tests, essential medications, blood transfusion services, hip replacement and surgery.
The President of the club noted that sickle cell anaemia remains a major public health challenge in the country, with thousands of patients struggling to afford regular treatment.
He explained that the club would embark on advocacy to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to lobby towards making a law to make premarital sickle cell screening compulsory and make provision for subsidised treatment for people living with the disease.
Akwe further informed the CMD that the officials of the club at the facility led by him were elected on June 19, 2026 to ensure better welfare and treatment for the people affected with the disease.
Earlier, Dr Ozhe Sunday, initiator of the club at the facility appreciated the management of the hospital for providing the platform for the establishment of the Club.
He said the Club was created to promote sickle cell awareness, support patients and their families, and advocate for improved care and policies that would help to reduce the financial burden on sickle cell patients and their families.
The initiator of the club noted that the visit underscores FUTH Lafia’s commitment to strengthening comprehensive, patient-centred sickle cell care.
Responding, Dr Ikrama expressed gratitude to the leadership of the club for the visit and promised that the hospital would provide them with the necessary support to succeed in their activities.
The CMD also assured them that the management would support them in their plans for improved healthcare services for their members. (NAN).
