Nigeria Seeks Ugandan Partnership for Sickle Cell Treatment

Nigeria is turning to Uganda for assistance in combating the significant burden of sickle-cell disease (SCD) within its population. Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Nigerian Federation, highlighted that Nigeria carries the largest number of SCD sufferers globally, with an estimated 150,000 newborns affected annually.

During the recent Nigeria-Uganda Business Forum and Exhibition in Kampala, Dr. Kana expressed interest in collaborating with Ugandan pharmaceutical companies. Specifically, he noted a new hydroxyurea drug developed in Uganda for sickle cell treatment. “I think we’re going to work with the Ugandan pharmaceutical company to see how those drugs will be made available to our pharmaceutical companies and to our teaming patients suffering from sickle-cell disease in Nigeria,” he stated.

Quality Chemical Industries Limited, a Ugandan firm, recently launched this hydroxyurea medication, boasting an annual production capacity of 1.4 billion tablets. This initiative signifies a potential breakthrough for Nigeria, which, despite its large population and economic influence, faces immense health challenges due to high prevalence rates of various diseases.

The business forum also saw Nigerian investors expressing interest in other Ugandan exports, including Ankole cattle, valued for their unique meat characteristics. Trade between the two nations is growing, with Uganda’s exports to Nigeria seeing a substantial increase, driven by agricultural and animal products. Both countries are working towards strengthening their bilateral ties, with plans to establish a Joint Permanent Commission to facilitate further cooperation.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nigeria-turns-to-uganda-for-sickle-cell-treatment-5593738