…Lawmakers, Victims, Experts Push for Expanded Treatment Centres as Sickle-Cell Burden Draws National Attention
By Onwe Wisdom|Pan Afric Reporters
A proposed legislation sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall has taken centre stage at the Senate public hearing on five health-related bills, drawing unprecedented turnout from victims, medical practitioners, advocacy groups, parents and concerned Nigerians.
The Public Hearing hosted by the Senate Committee on Health ( secondary & tertiary) held today, 24th November,2025 for public input in the legislative process are Cell Disorder Research and Therapy Gentres (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB.893) by Sen. Kalurg Sunday Marshall (Kaduna South), National Heath Act, No 8 2024 (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 886) by Sen Dr. Ipaitbo Hary Banigo (Rivers West), Federal Orthopaedic Hospital Dekina, Kogi State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB.708) Sen, Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), National Eye Centre, Gboko, Benue State (Establishment)Bill, 2025 (SB.506) by Sen. Zam Titus Tertenge (Benue North-West) and Natonal Eye Center, Pushe-Mangu, Plateau State (Esablhmont) Bill, 2025 (SB 485) by Sen. Plung Diket Satso (Pateau Central)
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the session, Senator Marshall revealed that his inspiration for sponsoring the bill which focused on addressing the devastating impact of sickle cell disorder came from a deeply emotional personal encounter way back.
The Senate narrated a moment that changed his life: “And the child suggested to the parents that they should allow him to die, so that they can rest… and shortly after, the child died,” he recalled, describing an incident involving a young sickle-cell patient.
“That struck a chord with me, and I said, when I have an opportunity in this world, I was going to bring this to the fore so that the world will get to know what this disease is all about and the devastation it has on our people. So that’s why I promoted this bill, and to the glory of God, we are getting there,” he said.
The Senator expressed surprise and satisfaction at the massive engagement witnessed at the hearing.
“I am extremely satisfied, because I actually underestimated the interest on the bill,” he admitted. “Until I saw the number of presentations both within and outside the country… the interest has been overwhelming, and I’m happy and delighted.”
He added that the testimonies and statistics presented exposed the true scale of the national crisis:
“I also didn’t realize that there are so many people suffering from this ailment or disorder… today you heard the statistics… this disease has been devastating our societies and communities for a long time.”
Marshall disclosed that he personally supports several sickle-cell patients, noting that the numbers he encounters privately pale in comparison to the magnitude revealed publicly.
A major highlight of the hearing was the collective call by victims, experts and advocacy groups for an expansion of the treatment centres originally proposed, six across the geopolitical zones.
Responding to the demand, Senator Marshall acknowledged the validity of the concerns:
“Honestly, we can never have enough. We have primary health centres in every local government, yet there’s a cry for more, isn’t it?”
He clarified that the centres in the bill are meant to strengthen existing facilities:
“We are adopting the existing centers and merely creating centres of excellence in the geopolitical zones where people can be referred to… What we’re doing is complementary. But having heard the outcry today, we are going to propose more centers.”
Sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disorder, causes red blood cells to become rigid, crescent-shaped and unable to flow freely through blood vessels. This leads to intense pain crises, anemia, stroke risks, organ damage, fatigue and jaundice.
The disorder remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing health challenges, impacting millions and causing lifelong physical, emotional and financial strain on affected families.
With the strong support shown at the public hearing and the Senate’s growing attention, Senator Marshall’s bill is now positioned as the most prominent among the health-related bills under review.
For many families, advocates and patients present, the hearing marked the beginning of long-awaited national action and hopeful of a better days ahead for Nigerians suffering for the ailments
