Jigawa wants residents to know blood groups

The Jigawa Government on Thursday advised residents to know their blood group to improve their health.

Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed, the state Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

He specifically urged the people to know their blood classification before marriage in order to avoid sickle cell.

The commissioner spoke through the Spokesperson of the ministry, Malam Najib Umar, on the sidelines of a visit to the ministry by members of the Sickle Cell Patients Forum in the state.

“The commissioner gave the advice while receiving the delegates of the people living with the illness in his office.

“He called on people in the state to imbibe the culture of knowing their blood classification before marriage as it is the only way to avoid the disease,’’ he said.

Muhammed quoted the commissioner as pledging that the state government will partner with the forum to support sickle cell patients.

According to him, the Chairman of the forum, Malam Abubakar Abdullahi, noted that most of the people living with the disease are from poor families and cannot afford treatments.

Abdullahi, therefore, urged the government to intervene and assist the patients