Genotype Testing Before Marriage Pinnacle To Reduce Sickle Cell Anemia – Hajiya Badiya Tells FG
From: Femi Mustapha
As Nigerians joined the Global Community to Celebrate Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19 2024 Sickle Cell Patient Health Promotion Centre (SCPHPC) Kaduna,
has called on the Federal Government to consent to a bill seeking to make hemoglobin-genotype testing compulsory for intending Couples in the Country.
The Founder of the Centre, Hajiya Badiya Magaji Inuwa, asserted this while speaking at the 2024 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day celebration.
According to her, the bill which was passed by the National Assembly in 2024, seeks to check the spread of Sickle Cell diseases inherited from Parents with Sickle Cell genes.
She revealed that sickle cell anemia which is known for distorting the red blood cells and causing painful blood clots, is among the top genetic hemoglobin disorders, adding that experts have linked the prevalence of the deadly disease to the wrong matching of couples with conflicting genotypes, especially in rural areas.
Hajia Badiya also revealed that Nigeria ranks the Country with the highest burden of sickle cell disorder in the world with over 150,000 babies born with sickle cell anemia every year.
She stressed that while there are several therapeutic measures to treating the disease such as Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT,) the best option remains the hemoglobin-genotype test that will determine the status of intending couples and help prevent wrong matches that birth sickle cell cases.
She therefore urged the governments especially Kaduna lawmakers to do their part by enforcing a law that makes hemoglobin-genotype testing compulsory for intending Couples to protect future generations from the disease.
She also called on Nigerians to join the advocacy call as their support and participation are crucial to making World Sickle Cell Awareness Day a powerful catalyst for positive change in the lives of poor and less vulnerable sicklers in Kaduna state and beyond.
“As we celebrate the 2024 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, we remember the importance and potency/effectiveness that speaking with one voice has when setting priorities to advance Sickle Cell Care globally.”
“This date, recognized by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, serves as a crucial reminder of the daily challenges faced by those living with Sickle Cell Disease and the urgent need for action.”
“As always, the Sickle Cell Patient Health Promotion Centre (SCPHPC), which is situated in Kaduna, was founded by Hajia Badiya Magaji Inuwa stays committed to uniting the Sickle Cell community and hopes to inspire everyone connected to it to stand together under the theme: “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally.”
“We encourage all and sundry to work with us by participating in one of the three options we’ve proposed. One option can be political advocacy, writing your local/national governments about issues Warriors in Kaduna are facing, or conducting an awareness campaign. For example, knowing one’s genotype, the importance of staying hydrated, or any topic vital to Kaduna.”
“We are also committed to creating awareness of conducting genotype tests before marriage. During this, we want you all to join us at our advocacy call and propose a visit to our lawmakers on the need for a law mandating the presentation of genotype test results before conducting any marriage.”
“This is very important because according to experts, the disease prevails in the country because of the wrong matching of conflicting genotypes in marriages and procreation. Known for distorting the red blood cells which mostly results in severely painful blood clots, sickle cell anemia is among the top genetic hemoglobin disorders.”
“Experts have also linked the prevalence of the deadly disease to the wrong matching of couples with conflicting genotypes, especially in rural areas. They described as critical, the need for couples to check their genotypes before marriage.”
“People with sickle cell disease mostly have it because they inherited two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. For instance, if a man with an AS genotype marries an AS woman, they are bound to beget at least one SS (Sickle Cell) child.”
“To check this, a bill seeking to make hemoglobin-genotype testing compulsory for intending couples in Nigeria was passed by the National Assembly in 2017, according to Punch Newspaper, it is however yet to be assented to. There is no such report yet.”
“Ladies and gentlemen the main priority of our centre is to stay united and to find suitable activities that can make a real difference in the lives of those living with Sickle Cell Disease especially the poor and vulnerable.”
“No matter where you are, your support and participation are crucial to effect positive changes in the lives of poor and less vulnerable sickles in Kaduna state. Let’s unite, speak with one voice, and make this World Sickle Cell Awareness Day a powerful catalyst for change.
“Let me end this address with Quick Facts About Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria which includes: Nigeria is the country with the highest burden of sickle cell disorder in the world. Over 150,000 babies are born each year with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria.”
“Over 40 million Nigerians are carriers of the sickle cell gene. People with sickle cell usually suffer severe pain. Children with sickle cell can get a stroke – which could be fatal and which could leave them paralyzed for life.”
“People with sickle cell sometimes suffer a breakdown or degeneration of the hip joint/bones and end up unable to walk. Persons with sickle cell tend to suffer extensive, chronic leg ulcers or sores that cause them much debilitation and social isolation.”
“Socially, they suffer stigma and discrimination. Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) is a cure for sickle cell, but it is not widely accessible and not everyone with sickle cell is a suitable candidate.”
“Tips For Managing Sickle Cell Disease, High fluid intake; Healthy diet; Folic Acid supplementation; Pain medication; Vaccination and antibiotics for the prevention and treatment of infections; and Several other therapeutic measures.”
The Sickle Cell Patient Health Promotion Centre (SCPHPC,) established in Kaduna State is an organization that presently provides free consultations and standard medicines to more than 3,000 less fortunate sickle cell warriors.
The Centre with its over one and half decades of providing free care counseling, and routine drugs to the poor and vulnerable in Kaduna State, believes that by coming together, through our amplified voices, we will raise awareness, reduce stigma, and drive meaningful change for the millions affected by this disease.
As part of the celebration, the Centre distributed materials to Sickle cell patients who are on admission at Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Yusuf Dansofo Memorial Hospital, and St. Gerald Hospital.
