A Consultant with Kebbi Sickle Cell Association (KESCA) has said that over 138,000 children are born annually with sickle cell disease in Nigeria, disclosing that 25 percent of the citizenry are sickle cell carriers.
Speaking yesterday (Friday, October 18) at the marking of this year’s World Sickle Cell Day in Binrin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital a Consultant Hematologist with the association, Dr Garba Umar-Kangiwa explained that sickle anemia is inherited from the two parents, adding that the disease has a colossal impact on the individual, the family, community as well as on the socioeconomic situation of the land.
“Sickle cell disease can cause stroke for toddlers between two and three years; care and treatment take a team of experts,” he said.
Umar-Kangiwa, who is a Specialist in blood diseases at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, emphasised the importance of prevention above other measures of protection.
“In choosing a partner for marriage, both man and woman should go and know their blood genotype, any genotype not AA is abnormal.
“Those with AS, AC, SS, or SC, can only marry AA to be insulated from sickle cell, they must not marry anyone with abnormal genotype.
“We are advocating for a law that will make it compulsory for intending couples to go for a test to ascertain their blood genotype before marriage to prevent giving birth to children with sickle cell disease.
“It is the most potent killer for under five children,” he lamented.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the marking of World Sickle Cell Day is meant to raise awareness about the four genetic blood diseases, including sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia, Haemophilia and Von Willebrand diseases.
