From Nabob Ogbonna Abakaliki
The founder of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home in Agulu, Anambra state, Aisha Maduagwu has called on churches and village heads to make genotype test compulsory for intending couples before weddings.
This came following the suspicions that Sickle cell cases are on the increase in Anambra, Ebonyi and other South East states.
Maduagwu made this call on Thursday while interacting with journalists on issues bordering on sickle cell patients in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.
According to her, ” we can reduce this rising cases of patients living with sickle cell disorders in South East if we all join hands together.
“And that is why I still maintain that churches, village leaders should not only given out their daughters or allowing their sons to get marry without the proper medical testing.
“Yes, they should think beyond that. Today many homes have broke up because of common mistakes in genotype which often results to sickle cell babies or other diseases.
“And that is why I’m advocating for clergies to take issue of genotype test compulsory before wedding any intended couples in their church.
“The village head who are homes to everyone should also join suit. As a matter of fact this would reduce the risk of having sickle cell babies in our communities.
“And this should form part of the safety law, including insurance we are asking for from state house of assembly.
“Do you know that in my Orphanage home in Agulu Anambra state, that Anambra is leading followed by Ebonyi,”she explained.
The founder spends more than three Thousand naira daily to feed one sickle cell patient at the Agulu Orphanage home.
