The Rivers state University teaching hospital,RSUTH, says the newly flagged off Transcranial doppler ultrasound techniques for Sickle cell disease care in the state and Nigeria is a useful tool to identify the people living with sickle cell that are at risk of stroke especially children.
The chief medical director, Prof Chizindu Alikor, made this known to journalists on the sidelines of World sickle cell day .
Statistics show that about fifty million people are living with sickle cell disease globally, and Nigeria is the epicentre zone, with about four to six million people living with the disease .
In a bid to ensure that those living with the disease are given adequate attention, the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State University teaching Hospital, Prof. Chizindu Alikor said transcranial doppler ultrasound techniques will be put to use to reduce the chances of stroke amongst patients.
While commending Governor Sim Fubara for supporting the health facility in the provision of modern equipment,Prof. Alikor expressed commitment of the hospital to improving the health and well-being of residents.
A sickle cell patient, who is over sixty years, Ifeoma Ifejika, described patients as warriors and urged parents not to see the disease as a death sentence.
The Rivers State University teaching hospital RSUTH is the first hospital in the south south to put to use the transcranial Doppler ultrasound technique for the treatment of sickle cell disease to avert stroke in the future.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
