Nigerian youths have been advised to make the right choices when it comes to marriage.
READ ALSO: Sickle Cell: Nigerians urged to embrace voluntary genotype testing to reduce spread
The initiator of Project Hope for Sickle Cell Persons, Mr. Miracle Irimiya gave the advice at the launch of the initiative in Abuja.
He said that most young people go into marriages without knowing their genotype, which is very wrong.
Mr. Irimiya also noted that there is the need to create more awareness on the sickle cell disease to help in reducing the menace.
He said that the initiative was born out of personal losses of two of his friends.
” I lost two of my friends to Sickle Cell disease. I believe it is as a result of lack of awareness on the part of the parents who were not aware of what to do and how to do it. I am not blaming the parents but we came up with Project Hope for Sickle Cell Persons to give hope to people and spread the news about genotype test before marriage, so that people won’t have anaemic children. This is because when parents are equipped with information, they will do better.” Mr. Irimiya said.
The initiator also urged media organisations to step up information dissemination on Sickle Cell Disease.
The special Guest of Honour at the launch, and the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu said that the initiative was a worthy cause which is why VON was supporting it.
He also noted that Voice of Nigeria would as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, promote the project and programmes of the Project Hope for Sickle Cell Persons.
He also said that the Voice of Nigeria would assist creating the required awareness about Sickle Cell Disease through news and programming.
There were presentations by some secondary schools in the FCT on how to prevent the spread of Sickle Cell Disease.
Participants at the launch also had genotype tests.
Recall that June 19th was officially designated as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.
