The Executive Director of the Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative, Farouq Saleh Gagarawa, has called for the urgent establishment of a comprehensive national database for persons living with sickle cell disease across Nigeria.
Gagarawa made the call during a feature on Kaftan TV Hausa, where he lamented the absence of a coordinated and reliable data framework despite Nigeria bearing one of the highest burdens of sickle cell disease globally.
He said the lack of credible and centralized data continues to undermine effective policymaking and strategic health interventions.
“Without accurate statistics, government planning remains largely speculative. It becomes difficult to allocate resources efficiently, design targeted health policies, or measure progress,” he stated.
According to him, a structured national data system would strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve regulatory frameworks, and enhance healthcare planning at both federal and state levels.
Gagarawa added that comprehensive data would also boost genotype awareness nationwide, encouraging Nigerians to know their genotype status before marriage and helping to reduce the incidence of new sickle cell births.
He noted that a national framework would help identify sickle cell warriors living below the poverty line and integrate them into social protection schemes, health insurance programmes, and other welfare interventions.
Beyond domestic planning, he said credible national statistics would position Nigeria to attract international research partnerships, development funding, and global health collaborations.
The advocate urged the Federal Government, relevant ministries, and development organisations to collaborate with the Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative in building a technology-driven and inclusive national sickle cell data system.
He stressed that tackling sickle cell disease requires collective responsibility and multi-sectoral partnerships involving government institutions, civil society groups, healthcare providers, and the private sector.
During the programme, Gagarawa also highlighted the Salfar Warrior Lead Academy, a leadership and capacity-building platform aimed at equipping persons living with sickle cell disease with advocacy and governance skills.
He announced that applications for the Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo Fellowship under the academy will open on February 28, 2026, to nurture a new generation of advocates who can influence policy and champion reforms in sickle cell care nationwide.
He concluded by reiterating that sickle cell disease is genetic and not contagious, urging Nigeria to move beyond awareness campaigns to structured national planning anchored on credible data.