By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government has said it is integrating the management of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders into maternal and child health services at the primary and secondary healthcare levels to improve early diagnosis and treatment.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Haemophilia Day.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary-designate and Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, the minister said the move would enhance early identification of cases and enrolment into comprehensive care programmes.
Pate expressed concern over the estimated 21,101 persons living with haemophilia in Nigeria, noting that only about three per cent had been diagnosed.
“This suggests a severe problem of under-diagnosis and ineffective management,” he said.
He added that inadequate knowledge of haemophilia and its management among healthcare providers remained a major public health challenge, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality.
The minister said the 2026 theme, “Diagnosis: The First Step to Care,” aligned with national health priorities.
“No patient can receive appropriate care without first being correctly diagnosed,” he said.
According to him, early diagnosis remains critical for people living with haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders, as it determines the difference between life and preventable complications.
Pate said the commemoration provided an opportunity to strengthen diagnosis as the gateway to treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and long-term management.
He also announced the launch of a National Bleeding Disorders Registry, aimed at improving data collection and patient tracking.
“In collaboration with the World Federation of Haemophilia and the Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria, government will officially flag off the ‘Road to Clot Initiative’ to identify undiagnosed persons, link them to diagnosis and treatment centres, and connect them to long-term care,” he said.
On interventions, the minister noted that the government had developed a National Guideline for Inherited Bleeding Disorders to ensure standardised care across all levels of the health system.
He added that a Multi-sectoral Action Programme Technical Committee had been established to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, including inherited bleeding disorders.
Pate also said advocacy and awareness campaigns, as well as genetic counselling and testing, had commenced in parts of the country.
He called on stakeholders, including the media and civil society, to support ongoing efforts.
“We must work together to create awareness and key into this initiative to reduce the prevalence of inherited bleeding disorders in Nigeria,” he said.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Director of the Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria, Megan Buckie Adediran, described the day as a reflection of the struggles and resilience of people living with bleeding disorders.
She commended healthcare workers and partners for their commitment to improving access to care.
Similarly, the Vice President (Medical) of the foundation, Prof. Theresa Nwagha, said the “Road to Clot: Reaching the Undiagnosed” programme marked a significant step towards achieving health equity for patients with rare blood disorders.
She explained that the initiative would focus on community-based screening, improved diagnostic capacity, and strengthening of the national registry.
The event also featured the launch of five ambulances to support the initiative, particularly in reaching underserved and hard-to-reach communities for diagnosis and care.