Sickle cell: 138,000 children are Born annually in Nigeria- Expert reveals

A consultant haematologist, Doctor Garba Umar Kangiwaan, specialist on Blood and its diseases, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi gave the statistics at the celebration of the World Sickle Cell Day, held in Birnin Kebbi.

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Doctor Garba Umar Kangiwa pointed out that in every four Nigerians, one is a sickle cell carrier.

The celebration for the World Sickle Cell Day  to raise awareness against the four genetic blood disorder and prevention of sickle cell disease, Thalassemia, Haemophilia and von Willebrand diseases.

“The disease is inherited from the two parents, this has colossal impact on the individual, the family, community as well as on the socioeconomic situation of the Country”,

“Sickle Cell disease can cause stroke for toddlers between two and three years, care and treatment take a team of experts,”

“Doctor Kangiwa said, General Surgeon, Opthalmologist, etc, who see patients regularly, the intensive and extensive care has psychological trauma to the family”,

“In choosing a partner for marriage, both man and woman should go and know their blood genotype, any genotype not AA is abnormal”,

“He emphasize those with AS, AC, SS, or SC, can only marry AA to be insulated from sickle cell and advised them not to marry anyone with abnormal genotype”,

“Doctor Garba Kangiwa, lamented on a law that will make it compulsory for intending couples to go for test to ascertain their blood genotype before marriage to prevent giving birth to children with sickle cell disease because It is the most potent killer for under 5 children”.