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For decades, sickle cell patients have been rushed to hospitals when pain becomes unbearable and complications threaten their lives.
But the discoverer of a new oxygen-based treatment, a US-based anesthesiologist and pain-medicine specialist, Dr. Sota Omoigui believes the battle should be won before the hospital doors are reached.
He therefore called for a paradigm shift in sickle cell management, advocating early intervention with oxygen at home to prevent or halt crises before they escalate into medical emergencies.
Dr. Omoigui made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Edo National Association Worldwide Inc. (ENAW) 33rd Annual Convention, hosted by Edo Association DFW in Dallas, Texas, USA, on September 5, 2026.
Arguing that medicine should prioritize prevention, he compared sickle cell care with hypertension and diabetes, where treatment begins before catastrophic complications occur.
“The present paradigm of modern medicine in treatment of sickle cell is what I call MAD, (Medicine After Death),” he said.
Dr. Omoigui argued that care should shift from treating the aftermath of crisis to stopping it before irreversible complications develop, citing acute chest syndrome, avascular necrosis, kidney failure, stroke and premature death among the consequences of recurrent crises.
Comparing sickle cell care with the management of hypertension and diabetes, Dr. Omoigui who is the MD, Division of Inflammation and Pain Medicine L.A. Pain Clinic in Hawthorne, California said, “in all the chronic diseases that we have, we prevent first rather than cure.”
The medical expert stated that his proposed intervention centers on early oxygen therapy when symptoms begin.
He described the approach as a simple but potentially transformative way of moving sickle cell care from emergency response to early intervention.
“We must resuscitate these cells at home, and the patient never needs to get to the hospital,” he declared.
Dr. Omoigui said his initiative, launched following the announcement of his discovery on July 4, 2024, has grown into an international movement, with about 2,200 members across three Sickle Cell Discovery WhatsApp platforms. He said the platforms have been used to educate patients, families and medical professionals in Nigeria, the United States and beyond.
He also disclosed that donations from supporters had enabled the distribution of 100 oxygen cylinders to sickle cell patients across Nigeria.
But with millions of Nigerians living with sickle cell disease, Omoigui said the effort remained only a fraction of what was required.
“We have seven million people living with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. So, we are just scraping the tip of the problem.”
He therefore called for a “whole of society effort” involving government, companies, philanthropists and individuals, as affordability remains a major challenge.
The keynote speaker at the event however put the cost of an oxygen cylinder in Nigeria at about ₦190,000, with refills costing roughly ₦15,000, while a concentrator could cost around ₦750,000.
He compared those figures with hospitalization, which he said could run into millions of naira, particularly for families caring for several children with the disease.
Dr. Omoigui also challenged researchers and pharmaceutical companies to look beyond treatments that improve hemoglobin or reduce hemolysis, arguing that the crisis itself, the event that sends patients to hospital, must be addressed.
He cited testimonies from families who, according to him, reported fewer hospital visits after gaining access to oxygen equipment. One parent, he said, reported that her daughter would use an oxygen concentrator when she experienced discomfort and “will be back to normal.”
“At home, and you will see testimonies on the website, please feel free to go there, sicklecelldiscovery.com. You will see testimonies and the words, amazing, miracle, fantastic, unbelievable.
“This is no longer sickle cell awareness, it is a solution, proven solution that can stop the tears and stop organ damage,” Dr. Omoigui insisted.
He urged ENAW members and Nigerians in the Diaspora to support efforts to make home oxygen available to sickle cell patients, saying the ultimate goal was to prevent other families from experiencing the loss and suffering associated with the disease.
“We are going to prevent other families from their sorrow and tears going forward,” he said.
The convention attracted prominent Edo leaders, professionals, traditional institutions and members of the association from across the diaspora.
Among the dignitaries at the ceremony was the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen who represented the State Governor and Special Guest of Honour, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Representatives of Edo State Government included, Director-General, Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr. (Mrs.) Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor.
Other dignitaries included ENAW outgoing President, Engr. (Mrs.) Bose Ogbeifun-Oviasu; Chairman of the occasion and representative of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, Chief Dr. Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN; Chairman, ENAW Council of Presidents, Engr. Charles Oviawe; Chairman, ENAW Board of Advisors, Barrister Dickson Iyawe; Nigeria’s former Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; outgoing ENAW Women Affairs Coordinator, Mrs. Meg Uzzi; President, U. Phillip Igbinadolor DMD & Associates, Prince Dr. Uyi Philip Iginadolor and President of ENAW host club, the Edo Association DFW in Dallas Texas, Dr. Edwin Aghedo.
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