Over 150 residents of Kaduna on Tuesday received free genotype testing from Sickle Cell Health Promotion Centre, (SCHPC), in collaboration with Ade Adebisi Foundation and Sickle Cell SCAN.
The residents who thronged the SCHPC Clinic in Badarwa, Kaduna North local government area of the state as early as 8am were screened by professionals and given on the spot result of their test to show if their genotype is AA, AS or SS.
Speaking shortly after the testing exercise, Founder of SCHPC, Hajiya Badya Magaji Inuwa, said the collaboration was one of the steps taken by the Centre to create awareness in Kaduna so that people can know their genotype.
She added that many people did not bother about their genotype and that is why there is a rise in number of sickle cell patients in the country.
Hajiya Badya further said that knowing one’s genotype is as important as knowing what to eat. She however expressed dismay over lukewarm attitude of people towards going for genotype test.
Founder of Ade Adebisi Foundation, Mr. Ade Adebisi, expressed satisfaction over the turnout of people for the test. He said his organization will be in Kaduna soon for another test to ensure that people know their genotype
One of the beneficiaries, Umar said he is happy to know he is a confirmed he is prone to Sickle Cell with SS genotype group because of the result.
According to him, some laboratory results in the past showed him to be AS but he has been seeing traits of sickle cell anemia. “Because of the result I will now focus on the management of the disorder through routine drugs.”
There were calls for government to provide special management and free treatment policy for sickle cell patients at various government hospitals across the country to stem the tide of increased mortality rate of sickle cell patients.
