No fewer than three people have died as a result of sickle cell disorder in Onikan Health Centre, Lagos.

This was contained in a report of annual sickle cell clinic outpatient cases/attendances for year 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The report, which was presented by the coordinator of the Sickle Cell Clinic of the health centre, Dr. Tunji Alakija, also showed that cases of sickle cell disorder were increasing.

The report was presented at the fourth annual public awareness and sensitisation programme for sickle cell disorder of the centre.

Alakija said, “Figures show that we have recorded a continual increase in the number of new cases of sickle cell disease. For instance, in 2011, we saw a total of 48 new cases; the figure rose to 96 the following year (2012) and rose to 120 in 2013.

“We see that for the year 2011, 10 out of the 86 patients seen were hospitalised, representing a morbidity rate of 11.6 per cent; two received blood transfusion, while two died, representing a mortality rate of 2.3 per cent.

“For 2012, seven out of the 180 patients seen were hospitalised, representing a morbidity rate of 3.8 per cent; one received blood transfusion, while one also died, representing a mortality rate of 0.5 per cent. For 2013, three out of the 214 patients seen were hospitalised, representing a morbidity rate of 1.4 per cent while none died, representing a mortality rate of 0 per cent.”

He explained that the report showed a decline in the morbidity and mortality rates of the patients seen at the sickle cell output clinics in the last three years.

“This means the sickle cell clinics, by their clinical intervention, are doing a good job in maintaining qualitatively good lives for the affected individuals, and also preserving their lives, saving them from death,” he said.

He recommended training of more health personnel, enforcement of law that would ensure free treatment of sickle cell patients in public hospitals and counselling among others as way forward to reduce the disease.