The Plateau State government has established a sickle cell registry under the non-communicable disease desk to strengthen planning, data collection, and evidence-based decision-making.

Nicholas Baamlong, health commissioner, made the disclosure on Friday in Jos while briefing journalists.

Mr Baamlong said the initiative was part of the ministry’s non-communicable disease revitalisation agenda, adding that it ended the fragmented approaches to sickle cell care.

According to him, all stakeholders, government agencies, hospitals, partners, and civil society would now work under a coordinated framework through the ministry’s non-communicable disease desk to ensure alignment, efficiency, and accountability.

The commissioner said the act reflected both the federal sector-wide approach and the state’s commitment to leaving no one behind.

He said the approach would focus on priority areas for sickle cell, including integrating newborn and early infant screening into routine maternal and child health services.

He further said that the approach also entailed expanding genotype testing, premarital counselling, and public education and strengthening dedicated sickle cell clinics and referral systems.

Mr Baamlong added that it would also improve access to essential medicines, vaccines, malaria prevention, and safe blood through expanded PLASCHEMA coverage.

He also said the approach covered standardising compassionate pain management protocols, as well as training and mentoring healthcare workers to improve the quality of care.

The commissioner decried the growing concern around the misuse of opioids and controlled medicines among some individuals living with sickle cell disease.

Mr Baamlong ascribed the act to inadequate pain control, the gaps in access to care, and the patient not taking it for criminal intent.

The commissioner said the ministry would also focus on strengthening compassionate, evidence-based pain management and reinforcing safe prescribing practices.

“The ministry, in collaboration with PLASCHEMA, would expand coverage for pain management and essential sickle cell services so that no patient is left untreated due to cost or access barriers,” he said.

According to him, sickle cell disease remains a lifelong condition marked by pain crises, anaemia, stroke risk, organ complications, repeated hospital admissions,

He said the theme for the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, entitled “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Care,” was apt.

He stated that the theme served as a reminder of shared responsibility to thousands of children, young people, and families living with sickle cell disease.

(NAN)