Sickle Cell Disease Research
and Training University of
Abuja
Sickle Cell Disease Research
and Training University of
Abuja
SPARC-NEt
Sickle Pan-Africa Research Consortium Nigeria Network consisting of a hub (Tanzania) and collaborative consortium sites in Ghana and Nigeria is one of the major research projects being hosted at the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research (CESRTA). It is a four year project which started in May 2017. The objectives of SPARCO are:
- To develop an ethically and legally approved, patient consented, centralized, secure, web-based database of 15,818 paediatric and adult sickle cell patients for health services and research with distribution as follows: 8818 in Nigeria, 4000 in Tanzania and 3000 in Ghana.
- To develop, implement and evaluate a resource-based, multi-level, “Guidelines for Management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)”, in order to standardize the care of individuals with SCD.
- To organize short, medium and long-term training programs to strengthen skills in SCD health services and research.
- To develop plans for future research by establishing SCD cohorts in SSA in order to create a platform to conduct SCD-related epidemiologic, translational and clinical research.
In line with these objectives, over 1,300 paediatrics and adult sickle cell disease patients across Nigeria have been enrolled so far. SPARCO staff and health workers involved in the management of SCD have attended several training workshops on multidisciplinary management of SCD, SCD research as well as Data management and Genetic counselling organized both within and outside Nigeria. In addition, concept documents are being developed in the major research areas identified by the consortium.
- To develop an ethically and legally approved, patient consented, centralized, secure, web-based database of 13,000 paediatric and adult sickle cell patients for health services and research with distribution as follows: 6000 in Nigeria, 4000 in Tanzania and 3000 in Ghana.
- To develop, implement and evaluate a resource-based, multi-level, “Guidelines for Management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)”, in order to standardize the care of individuals with SCD.
- To organize short, medium and long-term training programs to strengthen skills in SCD health services and research.
- To develop plans for future research by establishing SCD cohorts in SSA in order to create a platform to conduct SCD-related epidemiologic, translational and clinical research.
Key personnel SPARC-NEt Nigeria Site
Key personnel SPARC-NEt Nigeria Site
North Central Zone
Prof. Obiageli E. Nnodu
SPARC-NEt Principal Investigator
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Abuja.
I am a Professor of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Abuja, Abuja Nigeria, Honorary Consultant Haematologist, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training, University of Abuja (CESRTA), PI of the Sickle Pan African Research Consortium NigEria (SPARC-NEt), Co-PI for the UK NIHR Patient-centred sickle cell disease management in sub-Saharan (PACTS), Site Lead for SickleGenAfrica, the National Coordinator of the American Society of Hematology Consortium for Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Africa (CONSA). I serve on various technical committees for the Nigerian government on non-communicable diseases and led the assessment of the level of implementation of WHO AFRO strategy for SCD in high burden countries. I am currently coordinating the development and implementation of WHO AFRO’s programme on gene therapy. I chair the largest network of SCD in Africa (SCSSN) and am a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine.
Dr Seyi Oniyangi
Department of Paediatrics, National Hospital, Abuja
Dr Oluseyi Oniyangi is a Consultant Paediatrician. She holds an MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, and is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP Paed), and International Paediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA). Furthermore, she has received training in different aspects of medicine such as Basic and Advanced Paediatric Life Support, Sickle Cell Disease Management and Paediatric HIV/AIDS management; Paediatric Haematology/Oncology care; and the Mentorship Training Course of the Cochrane Collaboration on Evidence Based Medicine.
Dr Oniyangi is a specialist in the care of children in general and in the care of children with sickle cell disease, kidney disease and childhood oncology in particular. She organized the sickle cell clinic of the National Hospital Abuja, and has participated as resource person in several trainings on sickle cell disease, and in community out reaches on the subject. She was a member of the editorial team that produced the Sickle Cell Disease Policy and guidelines of care for Nigeria.
Dr Lilly Ekwem
General Hospital Nyanya, FCT, Abuja
Dr Lilly Ekwem is a Paediatrician who has participated in WHO research as a research doctor and coordinator. Her passion and interest in Sickle cell disease spurred her current involvement in the ongoing SPARCO project, working as the site lead for Nyanya General Hospital, Abuja, where she heads the Paediatric unit. She has authored and co-authored some research papers published in local and international journals including some in Sickle cell disease. She is committed and diligent in carrying out her duties resulting in her ability to work well in a team, inspire coworkers and provide productive leadership.
Dr Juliana Olufunke Lawson
Zankli Medical Centre, FCT, Abuja
Dr Juliana is a Consultant Paediatrician who has been involved in management of sickle cell patients for more than 20 years. The first HPLC machine for newborn screening for Sickle cell disorder in Nigeria was installed in the Zankli Research laboratory in 2010 during the Sickle Cell Cohort Pilot Study funded by the UNDP and over 10,000 children were screened for sickle cell disorder. She is the Vice-Chairman of Zankli Medical Centre, Abuja, which is a group practice that provides care in various specialties of Medicine and Surgery and encourages the development of academic and research activities in collaboration with a number of institutions both at home and abroad. She also has a Master’s degree in Public Health and have been involved in various trainings, continuing medical education, mentoring and research. She had a hands-on training during her secondment to University College, London, on Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and neurocognitive testing in children sickle cell disease and the need for use of hydroxyurea.
Dr Chinatu Ohiaeri
Coordinator, Sickle Cell Centre North- Central Zone, Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Dr Chinatu N. Ohiaeri obtained her medical degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria in 1983 and her Paediatric Fellowship of the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria in 1999. She was the pioneer paediatrician of the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa State and also served as Deputy Head of Clinical services at the 270-bed tertiary hospital. Dr Ohiaeri has worked on various national and international projects under the auspices of FMOH/UNICEF/WHO and was part of the team that developed the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) in 2010-2011.
In 2011, the Federal Ministry of Health designated Federal Medical Centre Keffi a special centre for the management and control of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The centre is also the co-ordinating centre for newborn screening in SCD in North Central Nigeria, with Dr Ohiaeri as the pioneer co-ordinator of the program.
Dr Akinyemi Ofakunrin
Dr Olugbenga Ofakunrin is the Site Lead at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, is a Consultant Paediatrician and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Jos, Nigeria. He is a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology. His research interest is in sickle cell disease therapy. He has participated in a number of multinational, multicentre studies as a Research Physician and he is a grantee of the Fogarty International Centre of the National Institutes of Health. He is optimistic that a ‘safe’ cure for sickle cell disease will soon be discovered.
North-East Zone
Dr Ahmed I. Girei
Dr Ahmed I. Girei (MB; BS, FMCPath) is currently a Reader in the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at the Gombe State University. He is also an Honorary Consultant Haematologist to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. He obtained his MB; BS from ABU Zaria and subsequently completed residency at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
He coordinates the North-east Sickle Cell Zonal Centre, Gombe one of the six centers established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out newborn screening and provide comprehensive care for the management and control of sickle cell disease.
His research interests include newborn screening and prevention of stroke in children.
Dr Jasini James
Dr. Jasini James was born on the 2nd day of January, 1978 in Lassa town of Askira/Uba LGA of Borno state. He attended Sabongari Primary School Gwoza from 1985 to 1990, and General Murtala Mohammed College Yola from 1991 to 1996. He graduated from University of Maiduguri with MB;BS in 2006, and obtained a Fellowship of NPMCN (FMCPath) in May, 2018. He is currently the Head of Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Federal Medical Centre Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
Dr Adama Isah Ladu
Consultant Haematologist at the University of Maiduguri and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital respectively
She is a senior lecturer and a Consultant Haematologist at the University of Maiduguri and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital respectively. For over 11 years she has been involved in the management of patients with benign and malignant haematological conditions. She is also involved in the training of medical student and resident doctors. She is the site coordinator of the NIH funded Sickle Pan African Consortium (SPARCO) in Nigeria (U24-HL 135881-01); and a member the malaria prophylaxis working group. Her area of interest is haemoglobinopathies and anemia. She is currently a final year PhD fellow at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom. Her research focus is on the evaluation of spleen size and function among sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria and the relationship with malaria and bacterial infection.
South-East Zone
Prof. Emmanuel O. Okocha
Professor Okocha is a well-motivated haematologist and subspecialized in SCD with special interest in the genomics and proteomics of SCD. As a postdoctoral fellow in Duke university, he worked on SCD nephropathy and among other things proposed an outline for the likely pathophysiology of SCD nephropathy taking into consideration the genes involved in this process. Based on this work, he also proposed likely new therapies for SCD. On return to his primary institution in Anambra state, Nigeria, he developed (by adapting a former method) a robust and simple method for scoring sickle cell disease severity objectively. This method can be utilized across the world, but especially in developing countries where SCD is endemic.
Dr Anazoeze Madu
Dept of Haematology University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Enugu State
Dr Anazoeze Jude Madu is a Consultant Haematologist and Senior Lecturer, Depart of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla Campus. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer, Depart of Haematology & Immunology, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State. His research interests lie in genomics and next generation sequencing with emphasis on skill acquisition on DNA analysis and other genetic studies in pathology, specifically haematology and haemo-oncology. Areas of bias include research in impact of micro-RNAs and genetic variants in the occurrence of chronic complications of sickle cell disease.
He obtained his SSCE at Marist Brothers Juniorate, Uturu, Okigwe. Imo State. Nigeria. He then proceeded to acquire his MB,BS at University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria and Fellowship (FMCPath) at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.
DR NGOZI IMMACULATA UGWU
Dept of Haematology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AEFUTHA), Abakaliki, Ebonyi state
Dr Ngozi Ugwu is a Consultant Haematologist and Laboratory Physician currently working at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Ebonyi State, Nigeria. She is the site lead for the Sickle Pan African Research Consortium (SPARCO) project in Ebonyi State and a member of the Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria (SCSSN). She is currently the Head, Department of Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Her research interest includes Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Haemato-oncology. Dr Ugwu is a trained genetic Counselor and a member of the national committee for production of the Guideline for the Control and Management of SCD in Nigeria.
South-West Zone
Dr Ije Diaku-Akinwunmi
Dr Ije is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics in Lagos State University College of Medicine & Honorary Consultant Paediatrician, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, IKEJA, Lagos. She is the Lead Consultant, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Unit, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Dr Titi Adeyemo
Dr. Titi Adeyemo; MBBS, MSc FMCPath, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Haematology & Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos and a Consultant Hematologist to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. She earned her medical degree at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and completed her residency training in hematology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. She obtained a Master’s degree in Hemoglobinopathies at the University College London with a distinction. Her research interests are in sickle cell disease (SCD), blood transfusion science and inherited bleeding and clotting disorders. She is interested in the characterization of SCD based on genetic variations and impact on disease severity. She is the Lagos Site Coordinator/PI for the Sickle Cell Disease Genomics Network of Africa (SickleGenAfrica); a NIH funded multi-center project in Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania).
Prof. Biobele J. Brown
Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.
Professor Biobele Brown graduated with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics. He is a Professor at the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and an Honorary Consultant Paediatrician at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. He is in charge of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology unit in the Hospital, where children with sickle cell disease and cancer are managed. Professor Brown has research and clinical interests in Sickle cell disease and has had observer ship programs at the Hematology/Oncology division of the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, New York and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
Prof. John Olaniyi
Department of Haematology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State
I am currently a Professor of Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. I hold MB.Ch.B of Obafemi Awolowo University, M.Sc (Chem.Path.) University of Ibadan and a Fellow of West African College of Physicians9FWACP (Lab. Med.). As a honorary Consultant to the University College Hospital Ibadan; I am fully involved in the management of Sickle cell Disease patients, patients with Haematological malignancies, Haemostatic disorders, consultative haematology and others. My reseach interest is in Sickle cell Disease and Haematological malignancies and I have up to 90 publications. I am the UCH Ibadan site Co-ordinator of the Adult arm of Sickle cell disease Genomic Network of Africa (SickleGenAfrica).
Prof. Norah Akinola
Department of Haematology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, (OAUTH) Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Professor Norah Akinola has been a consultant haematologist and physician since 1994 and became a professor of haematology in 2007. She has been teaching and conducting research in the areas of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD). The communicable diseases are HIV and tuberculosis and the NCDs are sickle cell disease (SCD), haemto-oncology, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. She has had collaboration with some scientists in the Drug Research and Development Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, OAU, Ile-Ife, in studies to determine the anti-sickling activities of some local herbs. She has been involved in clinical trials for new antimalarial, antiretroviral agents and a nutriceutical that has antisickling properties. Her major thrust, however, is in the research of the pathophysiology and management of sickle cell disease (SCD). The topic of her PhD thesis was the “Rheology of Vascular Occlusion in Sickle Cell Anaemia”. As a result, she has contributed significantly to knowledge of the rheology and biochemical changes in the steady state and in vaso-occlusive crisis in SCA.
Dr Samuel A. Adegoke
Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, (OAUTH) Ile-Ife, Osun State
Dr Samuel Adegoke is a Reader in Paediatrics Haematology, and has research interests on sickle cell disease (SCD) involving both basic and applied researches aimed at improving clinical practice. His experience during and after his Master and PhD degrees in sickle cell disease provides him an ample opportunity to offer his expertise in this Consortium. He also had opportunity of training and working with senior researchers in the field of basic, applied and clinical research. His PhD program focused on the influence of hydroxyurea as well as 25-hydroxyvitamin D on clinical phenotypes, biomarkers of haemolysis and inflammatory cytokines in children with SCD.
South-South Zone
Prof. Angela Anene Okolo
Professor Angela Anene Okolo is fluent in English and French.
Has accrued experience of more the 25 years at the Medical Schools of the University of Benin and Jos Is active in Post graduate medical Education activities at National and Regional Levels.
Her Longstanding experience in: the Practice of Pediatrics and child health; Perinatal and Neonatal Health has oriented her activities towards identification of disorders that impair attainment of optimal potential of the child, hence her interest in the newborn screening for Sickle Cell Disease. She is passionate about Neonatal medicine!
Dr Dorathy Okoh
Department of Haematology Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
She is a Chief Consultant Hematologist and a Laboratory Physician with training in Therapeutic Aphaeresis from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. As the pioneer Consultant Hematologist of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), She set up the Hematology/Oncology unit including the current Adult Sickle Cell (SCD) Clinic 18 years ago and conducted the weekly SCD outpatient clinic for over 10 years. Individuals with SCD form the bulk of her patients and to a large extent influenced her research preference for the disease. This was intended to provide SCD patients quality clinical care and improved quality of life. In addition, she established the Safe Blood Initiative program to ensure the availability of safe blood. The Sickle Cell Multidisciplinary Team encouraged inter-departmental clinical collaboration with the support of the Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria.
Dr. David Olaniyi Olanrewaju
Dept of Haematology Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State.
Dr David O. Olanrewaju is a Lecturer at Ambrose Alli University and a Consultant Haematologist at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Although his clinic size is small and growing, he has made sure that most of them are receiving hydroxurea treatment.
Dr Timothy A. Ekwere
Department of Haematology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
He is an Associates Prof of Hematology at the University of Uyo where he is involved in teaching, capacity building and research in the areas of Thrombosis & Hemostasis and SCD. He also a senior consultant hematologist at the University Teaching Hospital where he is involved in management and care of patients with various hematological diseases and also oversees the operations of the Hematology Laboratory and hospital Blood Bank. He is a member of NSHBT, ISTH, editorial board member of World Journal of Biomedical Research, a publication of Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Uyo.
North-West Zone
Prof. Aisha Kuliya-Gwarzo
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital.
Prof Aisha is a highly dedicated and driven medical specialist with extensive senior level experience and leadership training in health management, responsible conduct of research and research ethics. She has been involved with several researches many of which have been published in peer review journals especially on sickle cell anaemia and blood transfusion. As both PI and co-investigator, she has demonstrated a range of clinical course of patients with sickle cell disease and the appropriate use of blood in mitigating many of its complications. She has been in collaboration with a number of experts especially as relates to blood transfusion for supportive care of SCD. Professor Aisha is a member of the ASFA SCD research committee where red cell exchange in management of SCD is a central research interest.
Prof. Abdulaziz Hassan
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State
Abdulaziz HASSAN, MBBS, MD, FMCPath is a Professor and consultant Haematologist at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. He has about 20 years’ experience in the clinical care and management of persons with Sickle Cell Disease and has published over 30 journal articles on SCD. He is site coordinator for the Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO) where he is responsible for creating a database of SCD patients in collaboration with other African countries. He is a member of the ARISE team at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He was the secretary of the Nigerian Society for Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NSHBT) and the North-West zonal coordinator of the Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria (SCSSN).
Dr Livingstone Dogara
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State
Dr Livingstone is the Chair, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences Kaduna State University Research unit, Management committee member, Sickle Cell Cohort Research Foundation – SCORE with over 7 years of collaboration with Prof Baba Inusa in SCORE projects. Lead, Kaduna site EU Marie-Curie Skłodowska H2020 Project, African Research and Innovative Initiative for Sickle Cell Education (ARISE). Coordinator, Laboratory Lead, Kaduna State Site ASH supported Consortium on newborn screening of sickle cell disease in Africa – CONSA. Member steering committees of the Zambia CONSA and SCORE_BINGHAM University Teaching Hospital Integrated Sickle Cell Disease Management Program. A 2018 (with Baba Inusa as mentor) and 2019 (with Johnny Mahlangu as mentor) ASH global capacity building showcase awardee, and a British society for haematology (BSH) global haematology scholarship recipient. Current Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion of BDTH and KASU.
Dr Garba U. Kangiwa
Dr Garba Umar Kangiwa is a consultant Haematologist with over a decade of experience and had extensive training in both Nigeria, India and Malaysia and a Postgraduate Diploma in administration (PGDA). Over the last 10 years, he has been providing specialist care to patients as well as training and mentoring of several healthcare workers, in addition to several administrative responsibilities and community services. He is a recipient of several awards including traditional tittles in recognition of his excellence services. He is a visiting lecturer with Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and consultant to UDUTH, Sokoto, FMC, Gusau, SYMH, Birnin-Kebbi and ASYBSH, Gusau
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and Training University of
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