Medical experts have expressed grave concern over the rising number of people living with sickle cell anemia on the outskirts of Kano city.
Daily News 24 reports that in Bebeji Local Government Area alone, over 300 children and teenagers are living with the disorder, signalling a dire health crisis that needs urgent medical attention.
Hauwa’u Garba, a resident of Sabon Garin Bebeji, is currently helpless after undergoing a bone marrow transplant to treat her hip, which was destroyed by a lack of blood flow caused by sickle cell anemia.
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Her mother, Lami Garba, who had already lost two of her four children to the disorder, shares her experience.
“I have four sickle cell children, and I lost two of them already. During our time, we did not know about genotype testing, so we got married without a test. We used to have sleepless nights whenever a crisis started. We are need assistance”, she said.
Like Lami, Hassan Salihu had four sickle cell children when he got married without the diagnosis-specific genotype. Unfortunately, he had lost four of them before clocking ten.
“I got married without conducting a genotype test, and my wife gave birth to four sickle cell anemia patients. I lost four of them, and this is very sad. I want the government to pass a law for compulsory genotype test in Kano”.
Also, another Anemia patient, Musa Usman, was diagnosed with sickle cell after birth. At 13, Musa could barely walk due to the constant pains he usually experiences when a crisis surfaces.
“Whenever I woke up from sleep, my legs would start paining me. I could barely walk whenever my crisis started. Please, we want the government to assist us with medicine to ease our pains”.
According to World Health Organization WHO, Nigeria takes almost half of the share of more than 300,000 babies with severe sickle cell disorders globally each year. Unfortunately, these children of about 150 000 in the country may die in childhood for ignorance and lack of proper care.
These concern and statistics is a threat to Goal 3 Target of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG, which promotes healthy lives and well-being for all ages.
When contacted, the Executive Director of Sickle Cell Community in Kano, Rukayya Kamal Ibrahim, describes the rapid growth of sickle cell warriors in the State as worrisome, identifying ignorance as to the major cause.
“We are worried about increasing people living with sickle cell disorder. One of the major causes of the recent increase is the lack of awareness and ignorance in rural areas. We need more awareness and contribution from all and sundry”.
To reduce the burden, the Commander of Hisbah in Bebeji, Hamisu Hamza Bebeji, says the Command imposed compulsory genotype tests for the locals before marriage.
“If you want to marry, we would take you to the hospital for compulsory genotype testing. We even agreed with the hospital in the clinic for compulsory testing for genotype, HIV, and pregnancy. And before the wedding, they must present the test result”.
But, a Hematologist with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital AKTH, Dr Illiyasu Yusuf Garin-Mallam, says such compulsory genotype tests should be enforced across the State.
“We see about 20 sickle cell warriors every day, and some we admit them or change their blood. There is need for government to provide the needed awareness in the Rural Areas so we could tackle this issue”.
On his part, the Deputy Director of Programme in the State Contributory Health Care Management Scheme says the sickle cell worriers are now being captured under the free medical service of the scheme.
“The State Government has included the sickle cell warriors into the State Contributory Health Care Scheme, so whenever they go to the facilities, they will be attended to free of charge”, he said.
While these measures are in place, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for all intending couples to confirm their status before saying “I do”, just as the state government is expected to enact a law for compulsory genotype test before marriage.
