Compatibility tests such as checking of genotype must be taken seriously and carried out before getting married to avoid resultant effects after the wedding.
Founder of a Non-Governmental Organisation on care and support for people living with sickle cell, Professor Adeyinka Falusi stated this at a free medical outreach for sickle cell patients at the University College Hospital, UCH Ibadan.
Professor Falusi noted that Nigeria ranks first in the world on the prevalence chart of sickle cell disease thus advocating for the prevention of the disease which she said is far better than its management as the only way out which is bone marrow transplant is too expensive and of reach of many.
She noted that caring for people living with sickle cell Anemia had been quite challenging, saying “ at the top of the challenges is funding because the care of a person living with sickle cell anemia is very costly, they get to hospitals and they don’t have facilities needed for their care“
“Developed countries pay a huge amount to anyone who uses their precious time to assist people with ailments and Special needs”
Professor Falusi who is also a retired Professor of Hematology noted that her NGO which is a non-profit based, had empowered sickle cell patients and would not relent if she is assisted by kindhearted people and the government.
A participant, Mrs Kafayat Abiola who is a mother of a sickle cell patient enjoined people to patronize certified laboratories while carrying out the compatibility test as she is a victim of a wrong diagnosis.
Narrating her story Mrs Abiola said “ I’m a living victim of such wrong laboratory reading, I did my genotype test at a laboratory in Ibadan when I wanted to get married and unfortunately I was given a wrong result that I’m AA but was later called back that I’m AS”
“My husband went for a test too and the result given to him said he’s AA so we decided to go on with our wedding but when we started having children our third child has SS genotype, meaning my husband was given wrong test result too”
A pharmacist with the University College Hospital, Mariam Lawal who is a sickle cell patient urged patients with the disease not to be deterred to attain any height in life.
Mrs Lawal who despite her health status is a trained pharmacist urged people living with the disease to adhere strictly to safe health practices such as using their drugs regularly, avoiding walking in rain and drinking cold things.
Lilian Ibomor
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