By Aina Shehu
There is renewed hope for people living with sickle cell disorder in Nigeria as the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, in partnership with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), now offers bone marrow transplantation (stem cell transplantation) as a curative treatment.
Bone marrow transplantation — also known as stem cell transplantation — is globally recognized as a potential cure for sickle cell disorder (SCD) in eligible patients. The treatment replaces the patient’s faulty blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones from a compatible donor.
What This Means
• The program has been active in Nigeria since around 2024.
• It provides access to a curative option locally, reducing the need for costly overseas treatment.
• However, not all patients qualify — strict medical and donor compatibility requirements apply.
Important Clarification
While bone marrow transplantation is a proven cure for some patients, it is:
• Expensive
• Highly specialized
• Dependent on finding a suitable donor (often a matched sibling)
It is not yet a universal or easily accessible cure for all sickle cell patients.
Why This Is Significant
Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of sickle cell disorder globally. Having this procedure available locally marks a major milestone in the country’s healthcare system.
Patients and families are advised to contact SCFN or LUTH directly for proper medical evaluation and guidance.