Therapeutic Apheresis in Nigeria: A Multi‐Center Summary of Abstracts From the Inaugural Nigerian Society for Apheresis Scientific Meeting

@article{bazuaye2026therapeutic,
  title = {{Therapeutic Apheresis in Nigeria: A Multi‐Center Summary of Abstracts From the Inaugural Nigerian Society for Apheresis Scientific Meeting}},
  author = {Nosa Bazuaye and Chimezie Okwuonu and Evelyn Idam and Folasade Adelekan‐Popoola and Shakirat Gold‐Olufadi and Olufunto Olufela Kalejaiye and Abdullateef Ogala and Zinnah Aloziem and Blossom Amamchukwu and Patience Elimia and Mkpoikanabasi Obot‐Obot and Henry Mbakwe and Praises Maduagwuna and Olatunji Akinrodoye and Chiamaka Anyanwu and Benjamin Anyanwu and Adedamola Akinsiku and Oluwatoyin A. Akinsiku and Muzamil O. Hassan and Fatiu A. Arogundade and Olalekan E. Ojo and Homayemem Weli and Jesupelumi Adenihun and Aderemi Adelaja and Ebun Bamgboye and Olalekan Olatise and Ade E. Faponle and Ayoola Odeyemi and Michael Muoka and Stephen Asaolu and Qudrat Busari and Blessing Dawudu and Michael Naiyeju and Rasheed A. Balogun},
  journal = {Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1002/1744-9987.70160},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/1744-9987.70160},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Therapeutic Apheresis in Nigeria: A Multi‐Center Summary of Abstracts From the Inaugural Nigerian Society for Apheresis Scientific Meeting
AU  - Nosa Bazuaye
AU  - Chimezie Okwuonu
AU  - Evelyn Idam
AU  - Folasade Adelekan‐Popoola
AU  - Shakirat Gold‐Olufadi
AU  - Olufunto Olufela Kalejaiye
AU  - Abdullateef Ogala
AU  - Zinnah Aloziem
AU  - Blossom Amamchukwu
AU  - Patience Elimia
AU  - Mkpoikanabasi Obot‐Obot
AU  - Henry Mbakwe
AU  - Praises Maduagwuna
AU  - Olatunji Akinrodoye
AU  - Chiamaka Anyanwu
AU  - Benjamin Anyanwu
AU  - Adedamola Akinsiku
AU  - Oluwatoyin A. Akinsiku
AU  - Muzamil O. Hassan
AU  - Fatiu A. Arogundade
AU  - Olalekan E. Ojo
AU  - Homayemem Weli
AU  - Jesupelumi Adenihun
AU  - Aderemi Adelaja
AU  - Ebun Bamgboye
AU  - Olalekan Olatise
AU  - Ade E. Faponle
AU  - Ayoola Odeyemi
AU  - Michael Muoka
AU  - Stephen Asaolu
AU  - Qudrat Busari
AU  - Blessing Dawudu
AU  - Michael Naiyeju
AU  - Rasheed A. Balogun
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/27
JO  - Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis
DO  - 10.1002/1744-9987.70160
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/1744-9987.70160
AB  - Background: Therapeutic apheresis (TA) is an established treatment modality for hematologic, neurologic, and immunologic disorders, yet access remains severely limited in sub‐Saharan Africa. Donor apheresis, including platelet apheresis collection from healthy donors, represents an important complementary modality supporting blood product availability and national transfusion services. The Nigerian Society for Apheresis (NSFA) held its inaugural scientific meeting on February 6, 2026, representing a significant milestone in advancing apheresis services in West Africa.  Methods: We present a comprehensive summary of seven oral presentations and three poster abstracts submitted to the inaugural NSFA meeting, representing multi‐center experiences from Lagos, southeastern Nigeria, and international collaborative programs.  Results: Collectively, over 3800 therapeutic and donor apheresis procedures were reported across multiple centers over varying time periods. The most common procedures were apheresis platelets (73.7% of 2405 procedures at one center) and automated red cell exchange for sickle cell disease (25.7%). Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was performed for neurological indications including Guillain‐Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and neuromyelitis optica, as well as for renal transplant desensitization. A national survey revealed limited awareness among healthcare workers (mean knowledge score 5.10 ± 2.44/10), yet 88.4% expressed interest in hands‐on training. International collaboration through the ISN Sister Renal Centers program successfully established TPE capabilities at two centers in southwestern Nigeria. Common challenges included equipment availability, consumables supply, and cost barriers.  Conclusions: These abstracts demonstrate growing therapeutic and donor apheresis capacity in Nigeria despite significant infrastructural and economic challenges. The establishment of NSFA and collaborative international programs represents a critical step toward expanding access to this essential therapy in West Africa.
SN  - 1744-9979
SN  - 1744-9987
ER  -