Senator Natasha Akpoti-UduaghanKogi Central lawmaker urges collaboration between research hubs and university hospitals to strengthen innovation, enhance treatment, and reduce government costs in managing sickle cell disorder
In a move aimed at improving Nigeria’s response to sickle cell disorder, Senator Natasha Advocates Integration of Sickle Cell Research Centres into Teaching Hospitals Nationwideesenting Kogi Central Senatorial District, has called for the integration of Sickle Cell Research and Therapy Centres into existing teaching hospitals across the country.
The lawmaker made this advocacy on Tuesday during the Senate’s deliberation on a bill sponsored by Senator Katung Sunday Marshall. The proposed legislation seeks to establish specialized centres dedicated to the research and treatment of sickle cell disorder across Nigeria.
Senator Natasha Advocates Integration of Sickle Cell Research Centres into Teaching Hospitals Nationwide of the bill, emphasized that creating stand-alone institutions might not be the most effective or sustainable approach. Instead, she recommended that the centres be incorporated within existing university teaching hospitals located across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
According to her, embedding these research and therapy hubs within teaching hospitals would not only enhance the nation’s medical research capacity but also improve the quality of care available to sickle cell patients.
“This will help strengthen, broaden, and deepen research and therapy, especially given recent global innovations such as the use of stem cell therapy in treating sickle cell patients,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan explained.
She noted that integrating the centres with established medical institutions would allow for seamless collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and students, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing. This, she said, would ultimately translate into more effective treatment outcomes for patients living with the condition.
Beyond its scientific and medical benefits, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also pointed out the economic prudence of her proposal. She cautioned against creating new stand-alone agencies that could place an additional financial burden on the government, suggesting instead that leveraging existing structures would promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
“To ensure efficiency and avoid unnecessary financial entanglements, it is critical that these centres are established within university teaching hospitals in each geopolitical zone,” she stated.
The senator further highlighted that the integration model would simplify the establishment process and ensure that the new centres benefit from the existing infrastructure, personnel, and expertise already available in teaching hospitals.
Her contribution drew commendation from several lawmakers who shared her sentiment on optimizing existing healthcare structures to deliver better services and minimize duplication of efforts.
The debate on the bill reflects the growing concern among Nigerian lawmakers about the rising burden of sickle cell disorder, a genetic condition that affects thousands of Nigerians annually and remains one of the country’s most significant public health challenges.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s proposal underscores a broader vision for Nigeria’s healthcare system, one rooted in collaboration, innovation, and efficient resource management. If implemented, it could pave the way for a more coordinated and research-driven approach to managing sickle cell disorder across the nation.
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