As part of measures to curtail the Sickle cell disorder scourge, Delta State government has provided equipment for genotype tests and newborn screening in some government health facilities across the state.
This is to ensure that the people check their genotype easily and have an early management of the disorder rather than parents resorting to quacks especially in cases where children are born with sickle cell disorder.
Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme made this known on Wednesday in a statement as part of measures to commemorate the 2024 World Sickle Cell Disorder Day.
According to him, to ensure a reduction in the incidence of new cases of the disorder and for those diagnosed to be able to live a normal life span, the State Government has equally facilitated the maintenance of 21 sickle cell clinics in its health facilities and institutions across the three senatorial districts of the State to give needful counseling and proper management of people with the disorder.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensure that all sufferers of sickle cell disorder live a normal life span and to also reduce the incidence of new cases of the disorder.
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He explained that the theme for this year’s commemoration “Sickle cell Disease, a National Emergency” represents a global call and national attention to sickle cell disorder, its vulnerability in relation to various diseases and create awareness in various levels of Government that Sickle Cell Disorder can be managed amidst its challenges.
The United Nations General Assembly in its 63rd Session in 2008, he said, formally declared Sickle Cell Disorder as a public health problem and one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases and the need to create awareness about the disorder, early diagnosis and to ensure appropriate management of the Disease.
“Sickle Cell Disorder is a genetic health problem common among children of Black Africa, the Caribbean, and Asian descent. Statistics show that worldwide, Nigeria has the highest incidence of sickle cell disorder with one in every four Nigerians (25%) having the sickle cell trait In Nigeria” the statement disclosed.
It identified the causes of high death rate among sickle cell sufferers to include refusal on the part of sufferers to participate in genetic programmes such as genetic counseling and planning, ignorance on the use of genotype tests and its relevance, and cases where several women particularly in the rural areas get into marriage not aware of their genotype status.
Other factors, it said, included lack of the financial means to check genotype status, inability of babies to be screened.
