The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill that seeks to establish dedicated Sickle Cell Disorder Research and Therapy Centres in each of the country’s six geo-political zones, marking a significant step toward strengthening the national response to the disease.
Sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshal Katung (PDP, Kaduna South), the proposed legislation aims to provide a structured and sustainable framework for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of sickle cell anaemia a hereditary blood disorder that affects millions of Nigerians. The condition causes red blood cells to assume a rigid, sickle-like shape, impeding circulation and leading to chronic pain, organ damage, and other life-threatening complications.
Leading debate on the bill, Senator Katung highlighted the urgent need to expand access to specialized care, enhance data-driven research, and offer educational and psychosocial support for individuals and families affected by the condition. He stressed that the centres would also serve as hubs for public awareness campaigns, professional training, and policy development.
“This legislation is designed not just to treat, but to educate, prevent, and ultimately reduce the burden of sickle cell disease across the country,” Katung said.
Several lawmakers voiced strong support for the bill. Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) and Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) underscored the importance of widespread genotype testing prior to marriage, while calling for sustained public enlightenment initiatives to curb the disease’s prevalence.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative scrutiny. The committee has been mandated to return its findings within four weeks.
“As we consider this important bill, it is essential that our approach includes both care and prevention,” Jibrin noted. “We must work collectively to support those living with sickle cell disease while also investing in strategies that prevent new cases.”
If passed into law, the bill is expected to significantly bolster Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure in managing one of the most prevalent genetic conditions in sub-Saharan Africa
