The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) in Port Harcourt says it has performed its first automated red cell exchange procedure on a patient with sickle cell anaemia. The hospital describes this as a significant step for its haematology and transfusion medicine services.
Automated red cell exchange is an advanced treatment for sickle cell disease. It selectively removes red blood cells containing sickle haemoglobin and replaces them with healthy donor red cells. When clinically indicated, it reduces the proportion of sickled cells in circulation and helps prevent or manage serious complications of the disease.
RSUTH credits the achievement to the expertise and collaboration of its multidisciplinary team and to the leadership of Chief Medical Director Professor Chizindu A. Alikor, who it says has embraced modern medical technology and expanded access to specialised care.
The hospital says this reflects its growing technical capacity and its aim of becoming a centre of excellence, and that it will help reduce the need for patients to travel elsewhere for advanced treatment.
RSUTH says it remains committed to clinical excellence, better patient outcomes, and access to quality, sophisticated care for residents of Rivers State and neighbouring communities.
