By Sola Ogundipe
A comprehensive national campaign on Integrated Health Intervention Programme has taken off in Kano State, under which 736 children living with sickle cell disorder are benefiting from up to nine months’ supply of essential medications while healthcare workers and religious leaders are trained to strengthen disease prevention and management.
The intervention, brainchild of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, combines free medical outreach, health worker training, public awareness campaigns, blood donation, policy advocacy and socioeconomic support for affected families under a single programme.
The Senior Programme Manager, 2026 World Sickle Cell Day Project Lead, SCFN, Mr. Caleb Audu, the initiative is a coordinated strategy aimed at improving prevention, treatment, healthcare systems and long-term outcomes for people living with sickle cell disorder.
“Kano was selected as the pilot state because of its high burden of sickle cell disorder, with Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital alone caring for more than 20,000 registered patients.
