Lami Garba, a mother of four in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State is yet to recover from the traumatic loss of her two children to sickle cell anemia.
While the dust is gradually settling, her third child, Hauwa'u recently underwent a bone marrow transplant, also occasioned by sickle cell anemia.
Mrs. Garba told Nigeria Info that she regrets not knowing much about genotype testing before she got married.
"I have four sickle cell children; I’ve lost two of them already. During our time, we did not know anything about the genotype test, I wouldn’t have married my husband," she lamented.
Another parent, Hassan Salihu got married over a decade ago.
The union was blessed with four children, but he lost all before each of them clocked ten.
"I got married without doing a genotype test and my wife gave birth to four sickle cell patients. I lost four of them, this is very sad. I want the government to pass a law for compulsory genotype test in Kano," Mr. Salihu advised.
What is Sickle Cell Anaemia
Sickle cell anaemia is a disease and inherited disorder of Haemoglobin (SS) from either or both parents of a child.
Medical experts usually harp on the importance of knowing one’s genotype before choosing a life partner to avert compatibility issues.
However, awareness of this seems to be a major challenge at the grassroots in Kano.
The Executive Director of Sickle Cell Community in Kano, Rukayya Kamal Ibrahim described the rapid growth of the illness in the state as worrisome.
"The major causes of the increase are lack of awareness and ignorance in rural areas. We need the commitment of all and sundry to win this battle," he said.
At a recent awareness campaign in Bejebi Local Council, Mr. Ibrahim expressed fear over the spread of the disease in the state.
Apart from awareness, Mr. Salihu and Mrs. Garba link the deaths of their children to the unaffordable treatment and management of sickle cell disorder patients.
When contacted, the Deputy Director of Programmes at the Kano State Contributory Health Care Management Scheme said the sickle cell warriors are now being considered under the free medical service of the scheme.
He promised that patients would get free medical.
A hematologist with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr. Illiyasu Yusuf Garin-Mallam commended the state government for its kind gesture on the free medical treatment of the sickle cell warriors.
He however believes only legislation on compulsory genotype testing for intending couples in the state will end the avoidable spread of the deadly disease.
