By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Kwara Government in collaboration with Concerned Medics Foundation has organised Genotype, Sickle cell screening for 1000 school students in the state.
Speaking at an awareness campaign in Ilorin on Thursday, wife of the Kwara Governor, Prof Olufolake Abdulrazaq stated that sickle cell disease was a public health challenge that affected countless families in Nigeria.
She emphasized the need for timely information and appropriate counseling as preventive measures against sickle cell.
Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said that Nigeria carries the world’s burden of sickle cell disease, accounting for between 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent of the disease globally.
She stated that genotype testing had become critical and should be part of our normal conversation and health education right from childhood.
Abdulrazaq expressed support to the campaign and other complementary efforts to strengthen genotype awareness, promote early screening and expand access to counselling.
“I envision a Kwara where no young person enters adulthood without knowing their genotype.
“I envision a Kwara where prospective couples have access to appropriate counselling and make informed choices,” she said.
Also speaking, a Consultant Paediatrician with the NHS in England and Founder of Concerned Medics Foundation, Dr Sadia Gumi-Bennett, said that genotype screening must be approached with sensitivity, professionalism and respect for the dignity of every student.
She explained that participating healthcare workers were trained on the required knowledge and skills.
Gumi-Bennett stated that the training was expected to aid workers to screen appropriately, interpret results, provide counselling, maintain confidentiality and facilitate referral where necessary.
She said the objective was to provide knowledge, promote informed decisions and encourage access to appropriate counselling and healthcare services.
According to her, the foundation, made up of diasporans, was focused on bringing back expertise to the country through projects such as Sickle Cell Counselling, Research, Education and Early Notification (SCREEN).
She said that the team had already trained at least 40 healthcare workers in the state and screened over 500 students in the previous day alone.
“During the screening, about six children were found to have sickle cell disease without prior knowledge.
“The students would be referred for confirmatory testing and further management in the hospital,” Gumi-Bennett said.
She said the education component had already made impact, noting that in one of the schools visited, students initially mistook sickle cell for HIV, but now understood what sickle cell is and what the different genotypes mean.
She commended the health workers in Kwara for being active and enthusiastic, and described the students as well-behaved and eager to learn.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of Kwara Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi said that the initiative represented another significant step in the collective effort to promote preventive healthcare, improve health awareness and protect the health and future of children.
He said the campaign was particularly important because it focuses on providing appropriate counselling and encouraging individuals and families to make informed health decisions.
Abdullahi acknowledged the vision, passion, advocacy and commitment of the wife of the Governor to the health and wellbeing of women, children and young people.
He said that this has continued to inspire meaningful health innovations across the state.
The Permanent Secretary said the initiative reflected concern for the future of children and the need to ensure that preventive healthcare is driven through awareness and early childhood intervention.
