•Another speaks on how Nigeria can reduce new cases, close the survival gap

By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

The Medical Director of Godson Clinic Ltd, Lekki, Lagos, Dr. Godson Amechi, advised would-be marriage mates to undergo genotype tests before consummating their marriages.

He gave the advice on the occasion of our marking of this year’s world sickle cell disease day, the theme of which is: “Closing the survival gap: Equity in sickle cell disease.”

Amechi stated that we could stop having new cases of the sickle cell disease if intending marriage mates should abide by the gene selection rule.

“The only way to prevent sickle cell disease is by paying attention to gene selection. Individuals who are carriers must not marry other people, who are carriers, too.

“Thankfully, some churches have made it mandatory that intending couples must undergo genotype tests. And their campaigns are helping us,” Amechi said.

The medical practitioner further said that the disease, which is a non-communicable disease, could be treated by managing its symptoms, which involves using pain relievers, blood transfusions, and bone-marrow transfer.

In his own comments, Dr Emmanuel Onyebuchi Onugha defined sickle cell disease as a genetic disorder caused by the sickle shape of the red blood cells, which cause them not to move freely through the blood vessels.

He further said that Nigeria bore a disproportionate burden of the global sickle cell disease challenge as an estimated 150,000 babies were born with the disease annually in Nigeria.

Onugha lamented that 50-90% of children affected annually by the disease did not live to their fifth birthdays due to complications, limited early diagnosis, and inadequate care.

He, however, expressed the hope that the menace of the sickle cell disease could be checked, if not extirpated.

“With sustained action, Nigeria can reduce new cases, improve outcomes, and close the survival gap for the millions affected by sickle cell disease,” Onugha explained.

•Chiedu Uche Okoye is of the Anambra state ministry of information.

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