Musa Simon Reef
10 August 2008
Sickle cell disease is defined as an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. Sickle cell patients have red blood cells which contain mostly hemoglobin* S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disease
There are over four million sickle cell patients in Nigeria. Besides the crushing effect on the growing number of children who are mostly affected by the problem, there have been several attempts to checkmate its spread and evolve effective curative measures. This syndrome that is mostly associated with the black race has attracted the attention of several scientists.
According to available records, over 70 percent of the four million sickle cell Nigerian patienst is children and it is estimated that the number will skyrocket in the coming years. Besides enlightment and getting the necessary collabotrtive efforts, many are of the opinion that for the scourge to be controlled there is need for all hands to be on deck to checkmate the problem.
Scientists describe hemoglobin as the main substance of the red blood cell. It helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the air in human lungs to all parts of the body. Normal red blood cells contain hemoglobin A. Hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C are abnormal types of hemoglobin. Normal red blood cells are soft and round and can squeeze through tiny blood tubes (vessels). Normally, red blood cells live for about 120 days before new ones replace them.
A fewyears ago, the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) headed by Professor Ayodele Joseph Coker was in the vanguard of finding a cure for the sickle cell scourge. Speaking to Sunday Trust, Coker said SHESTCO was evolving technologies capable of bringing smiles to Nigerian sickle cell patients.
The introduction of NICOSAN, a drug manufactured from plants in Nigeria by Xechem, according to Coker, was applauded as it was described as most effective in combating the scourge of sickle cell diseases. Before now, the only cure was the bone marrow transplant to replace defective red blood cells.
The Managing Director of the Xechem Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited, Mr Onoyide Iretioluwa said the drug produced by Xechem, a biopharmaceutical company which engages in the research, development, and production of generic and proprietary drugs from natural sources.
Iretilouwa said that the drug is a non-toxic phytopharceutical product composed from extracts from four tropical plants an it origin from Nigerians. The Xechem boss explained that several Nigerians, including Professor Charles Wambebe, a former Director General of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical research and Development, (NIPRID) Idu-Karmo in Abuja were behind the drug. He called for national honours for these scientiest who have contributed immensely to the development of science and technology in Nigeria.
Iretioluwa said that the company was poised to enhance the production of the drugs so that victims of sickle cell diseases could have access to treatment.
He said that the company was undergoing expansion with a view to increasing the capacity of the company and its ability to achieve its targeted objectives. He called on Nigerians to support the company in a bid to ensure sustenance of efforts towards reducing the pains experienced by sickle cell patients in Nigeria.
We are solicting cooperation from various stakeholders to continue supporting us to achieve our mandate. We call on Nigerian farmers not to relent on their oars to assist Xechem with the raw materials needed to produce the drug."
Iretioluwa called on other state governors to borrow a leaf from the gesture of Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu who recently purchased a large quantities of drug and distributed free to sickle cell children.
Alhaji Abdulakadir Waziri, an executive officer of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), noted that the introduction of the drugs into the Nigerian market had assisted in tackling the problem of sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria. He said that the scourge, being a poor man's burden, has gone a long way in the development of people living in rural areas.
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