Genotype Test before Marriage, Antidote for Sickle Cell anemia…Mama Sicklers
By: Femi Mustapha
The founder of Sickle Cell Patient Help Promotion Center (SCPHPC), Hajiya Baddiya Magaji Inuwa, popularly known as Mama Sicklers in Kaduna, has said that the Genotype test is the antidote to Sickle Cell.
She asserted this while reacting to an award presented to her by an award by Hope Builders International Consult LTD for salvaging the plight of sicklers in Kaduna State yesterday
According to her, the disease prevails in the country because of the wrong matching of conflicting genotypes in marriages and procreation.
She explained that Sickle Cell anemia, Known for distorting the red blood cells, which mostly result in severely painful blood clots, is among the top genetic hemoglobin disorders.
The Katsina State-born Mama Sicklers stressed that genetically inherited chronic conditions can also lead to death in a little less than five percent of the global population. But for people whose origins can be traced to Africa, the risk is disproportionately higher.
“While over 300,000 babies globally are born with severe sickle cell disease, 75 percent of that number, 225 000, are born in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Nigeria carries 66 percent of the burden in the region, the American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states.
“This means that in Nigeria alone, nearly 150,000 children are born annually with sickle-cell anemia. The country bears 50 percent of the global burden”
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; it is, however, yet to be assented to. There is no such report yet.
“Hajiya Badiya said the number of Sickle Cell children in Nigeria, rises to about 150,000 annually because of the nonchalant attitude towards genotype Test before marriage.
She, therefore, called on institutions and religious organizations saddled with conducting marital unions to ensure that the intending couples present proof of the Genotype Test before marriage.
“She lamented that sickles are like passing the sins of the parent to the child because if the Father is AS and the Mother, who is SS or AS, agrees to marry, there is a tendency that the future of the unborn child would be ruined.
“She said unlike HIV AIDS, Hepatitis AB or C, where the person involved bears the pain, in Sickle Cell, it is the innocent child that bears the pain.’
Hajiya Badiya explained that one cannot tell a stickler by merely looking at the face, adding that they are usually fresh and healthy looking until the crisis starts and they end up in hospital beds with severe pains.
Speaking about the Center, Hajiya Badiya who is a Mother of two Sickle Cell warriors said, She lost her Eldest Son, Isah Magaji Inuwa to the cold hands of Sickle Cell Anaemia, 18 years ago and considering the pains she witnessed her son go through, decided to open a Center that caters for the wellbeing of less privileged Sicklers.
She disclosed that the Center has catered to over 3,000 sicklers since its inception 16 years ago, providing them with free routine drugs, health talks, and personal needs.
She stressed that people should disabuse their minds of the belief that sickle cell is a terminal disease rather, it is a disease that requires proper management for the Sickle Cell Warrior to live a healthy life.
“Many people believe that sickle cell is a killer, but it is not a killer; what it needs is management. What I believe as a Muslim is that God has destined the day you will die.”
Hajiya Badiya expressed her joy and gratitude to the awarding organization, Hope Builders International Consult LTD, for considering her organization worthy of the award, adding that it is notable to know that her efforts are acknowledged.
“My staff and I were surprised when they called us about the award. I never knew that anyone noticed us because when we started the foundation sixteen years ago, my team and I have been dedicated to helping the less privileged in society, especially those who are suffering from sickle cell amenia.
“I know that there are special medications they should take, and most commoners can not afford it. They are short of food and drugs, so I decided to start this foundation to provide them with free medication and support them in whatever way that I can, especially when they are admitted to the hospital.
“And I thank Allah and the people that have been coming forward to assist in one way or the other because if it is left to me I don’t have the feeling to tell people to come and help because I am doing it to help people that are suffering from the disease that my son suffered from.
“So after the death of my son, because I’m a mother of two sticklers, I lost my son at 35 years eighteen years ago. During his lifetime, we used to suffer for medication, hospital bills, and other things.”
She also expressed her sincere gratitude to the team of staff for their contribution to the development of the Center, praying that God should continue to uplift them to greater heights.
