Expert urges genotype testing to check Nigeria’s high sickle cell burden

The Director of Bentoluene International Health Concept, Dr. Ogunleye Toluwalope, has called on parents to encourage their children to know their genotype before getting into relationships.

This is to reduce the increasing number of persons living with sickle cell disorder and break the painful and agonising cycle of raising children with the disease.

Toluwalope, in a statement, yesterday, to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day, said Nigeria has the highest burden of persons living with sickle cell disorder in sub-Saharan Africa. He said coupled with inadequate medical care and public health facilities, the degree of mortality is mindboggling.

Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire had said Nigeria currently has the highest burden of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the whole world ahead of Democratic Republic of Congo and India, with an estimated 25 per cent of her adult population being carriers of defective S-gene.

He noted that premarital test offers vital health assessment for soon-to-be married couples as they are examined for genetic, infectious and transmissible diseases, to prevent any risk of transmitting any disease to each other and their children.

He stressed that knowing one’s hemoglobin genotype before choosing a life partner is imperative because there may be compatibility challenge which could have devastating effects when it comes to conception in marriage.

Toluwalope said the genotype test should be done at least in two different recommended laboratories.He said persons living with sickle cell disorder face lots of challenges, which include inadequate healthcare and medications, stigmatisation, lack of social support and empathy.

He restated the commitment of his organisation to supporting persons with sickle cell disorder.