By Ayomide Otitoju
A new international study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has revealed that Nigeria has the highest number of children living with sickle cell disease globally, with more than 1.5 million affected under the age of 15.
The study estimates that nearly nine million children across sub-Saharan Africa were living with the condition in 2023, including about 1.17 million infants and 2.75 million children under five, who face the greatest risk of early death without timely treatment.
Nigeria accounts for the largest share of this burden, significantly surpassing other high-prevalence countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. Researchers say the findings underscore both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity for Nigeria to lead regional efforts in addressing one of the most preventable causes of childhood mortality.
The research was led by Davies Adeloye of Teesside University and Director of the International Society of Global Health. It analysed data from 40 studies across 22 African countries, providing one of the most comprehensive country-level estimates of childhood sickle cell disease to date.
Sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder present at birth, can be effectively managed with early diagnosis and low-cost interventions such as newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, routine immunisation, malaria prevention, and the use of Hydroxyurea.
However, access to these essential services remains limited in Nigeria, where many children are diagnosed only after severe complications, while others remain undiagnosed, contributing to high rates of preventable illness and early childhood deaths.
Adeloye said Nigeria is at the centre of the global sickle cell crisis but noted that proven, affordable interventions already exist. He urged the integration of sickle cell care into routine maternal and child health services, stressing that prioritising the disease within the national health agenda could save hundreds of thousands of lives.
Researchers emphasised that strengthening the country’s health system response will be critical, including expanding newborn screening programmes and improving access to essential care.
