Esther Enna
As the World Marks this year’s International Sickle Cell Awareness Day, a Consultant Paediatrician in the Department of Paediatrics, Federal University Teaching Hospital, FUTH Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr. Sunday Ozhe has urged governments at national and sub-national levels to initiate policies that would make genotype screening compulsory for students enrollment in schools.
He made the call during a free genotype screening and counselling for about one thousand people across the state as organized by the Federal University Teaching Hospital FUTH, Lafia, as part of activities marking the Day.
According to the Consultant Paediatrician in the Department of Paediatrics, FUTH Lafia, Dr. Sunday Ozhe, the initiative is in line with global efforts towards raising awareness about sickle cell disease, prevention and management.
The international sickle cell awareness day is observed every 19th June annually to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients, their families and caregivers.
According to a Paediatrician in the Department of Paediatrics at the Federal University Teaching Hospital FUTH, Lafia, Doctor Sunday Ozhe, the initiative aims to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and promote early detection and management.
The Paediatrician noted that the screening and counselling would cover a wider audience, including women, men, Secondary School Students and children and to provide individuals with valuable information about their genotype and the risks associated with sickle cell disease.
Doctor Ozhe while emphasizing on the importance of the genotype screening, called on governments at all levels to initiate policies that would make genotype screening compulsory for students enrolling in schools.
Some of the beneficiaries, Fatima Ibrahim, Ruth Musa and Mohammed Kasimu commended organisers of the screening as it would avail them the opportunity to know their genotypes .
The 2025 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day has as its theme :Global Action, Local Impact, Empowering Communities for Effective Self Advocacy. (Radio Nigeria)
