Know your genotype before marriage, Kwara tells youths

Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam.

The Kwara State Government has urged young people to ascertain their genotype status before entering into marriage, as part of efforts to curb the prevalence of sickle cell disease in the state.

The government said early genotype screening and increased public awareness were critical to preventing avoidable cases of the disease and helping young people make informed decisions about their health and marital choices.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Press Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Health, Saad Hamdalat, the First Lady of the state, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, made the appeal during the flag-off of a statewide genotype screening and awareness programme tagged ‘Know Your Genotype.’

The programme, organised in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and Concerned Medics Foundation, is aimed at promoting early genotype screening and raising awareness about SCD, particularly among adolescents and young people.

Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam, said Nigeria carried the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally, with about six million people living with the condition and approximately 150,000 affected babies born annually.

She noted that the figures underscored the need for sustained public enlightenment and early screening to reduce the number of children born with the disease.

The governor’s wife stressed that young people needed to understand their genotype status early enough to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and future marriages.

She also urged traditional and religious leaders to take the campaign to their communities, using their influence to encourage residents to undergo genotype screening.

“I urge religious leaders, churches, mosques and all faith communities to use their sermons to encourage people to screen themselves and make informed decisions,” she said.

Abdulrazaq also called on parents to take responsibility for knowing the genotype status of their children and ensuring that the information was properly documented.

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“Parents, please start taking responsibility for knowing the genotype of all your children, ensuring they have these documents with them as they go into adulthood,” she added.

She noted that people living with SCD often faced emotional, economic and physical challenges, adding that early genotype awareness and informed decisions could help reduce the burden on affected individuals and their families.

She further disclosed that the state government had provided free health insurance coverage for people living with SCD in Kwara as part of efforts to ease the financial pressure associated with managing the condition.

Speaking at the event, the immediate past Chairperson of Concerned Medics Foundation and Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Sadiya Gumi-Bennett, said the initiative was driven by the foundation’s commitment to improving the care and support available to people living with the disease.

Gumi-Bennett disclosed that 500 students had so far undergone genotype screening across the state, while the programme was expected to cover 1,000 students.

She explained that the screening exercise was being conducted with parental consent, adding that seven students identified with the disease had been referred to hospitals for further confirmation and appropriate medical management.

The paediatrician called on the state government to make genotype testing compulsory for school-age children, arguing that early identification would help prevent complications associated with the condition.

She said expanding screening programmes to schools would provide an opportunity to identify affected children early and ensure they received the necessary medical attention and support.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, highlighted various health programmes and interventions introduced by the state government, reaffirming the ministry’s readiness to partner with relevant organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents.

Earlier, the Principal of Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Monisola Alanamu, commended the initiative, saying it would contribute to better health outcomes among students and improve school attendance.