We Lost 80 People Due To Blood Shortage – Sickle Cell Club

By Olamilekan Alani

The Kano Sickle Cell Club said no fewer than 80 of their members died in 2019 as a result of shortage of blood caused by economic hardship.

The secretary of the organisation, Mr Abdulkadir Muhammad, who revealed this to newsmen in Kano, said economic challenges had made it difficult for most of the patients to afford constant medical services.

“Due to shortage of blood, we have lost about 80 of our members. Most of them died because they cannot afford to take care of their hospital bills.

“Their parents had no money to take them to hospital which make their body condition deteriorate rapidly.

“By the time the parents managed to bring them to hospital their conditions had already worsen and before you know it, they lost their lives.

“Blood shortage is our serious challenge, occasioned by lack of money.

“We therefore call on the government to support us. Not only government, we also call on the general public to assist us, especially with blood and other drugs,” he appealed.

The secretary also expressed sadness over the challenges of members in buying prescribed drugs, as most of their drugs are used by drug addicts, making it difficult for pharmacies to sell it to sickle cell patients.

The Director Medical Services, Kano State Ministry of Health, Dr Shehu Abdullahi, said the State government had designated clinics for sickle cell patients.

“The State government, through the Ministry of Health, has also dedicated budget to procure medicines, consumables and finance the activities of the sickle cell patients.

”Also, N50 million has been budgeted for blood transfusion services for the sickle cell patients and even people suffering from other ailments.

“This is in addition to resuscitation of blood banks in our hospitals.

“Government is doing a lot on sickle cell disease because we know it is a financial, emotional and moral burden on the patients and their parents,” the director said.