Corps member creates awareness on sickle cell disorder

As part of his community development service (CDS), a National Youth Service Corps member, Christopher Nkemdirim has led an awareness campaign against the violence of sickle cell disease in human health.

Speaking at the College of Health Technology Daura, Kastina State, Nkemdirim said that the awareness campaign stems from the prevalence of sickle cell disorder as most intending couples do not see the need for genotype tests before proceeding to marriage and as such, risk giving birth to children who could unfortunately be carriers of the disorder.

However, he disclosed that during the awareness campaign, a free genotype test would be conducted for participants and all who want to know their genotype.

“As a Corp member posted to the north, I observed that the rate of individuals with sickle cell disorder is high due to lack of adequate knowledge, because most intending couples do not see the need for genotype test before proceeding for marriage and as such endangering the life of their future kids. It became necessary in creating awareness to reduce the burden of sickle cell.”

Also, speaking, a guest lecturer at the event, Dr. Mashud Gwadabe said that sickle cell disease is inherited, which means it is passed from parents to children.

“When a child inherits the gene from just one parent, that child has sickle cell trait. Having this trait means that you don’t have the disease but you are a carrier and could pass the gene on to your children,’’ he said.