Know your genotype before marriage-Says Emir of Gwandu

Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

The emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar has called on intending couples to go for blood screening in order to determine their genotype before marriage.
The emir made this call in his Palace while receiving members of Kebbi State Sickle Cell Association (KESCA) led by the State Coordinator ,Hajiya Hadiza Yahaya Shantali who paid him a courtesy call yesterday.
The Traditional ruler also charged parents to ensure that before they give out their children in marriage, the genotype of their wards is determined through blood screening as a way of curbing the menace of sickle cell disorder amongst children.
“If we have our way, all emirs will order for blood test to be carried out by couples before marriage in order for them to know their genotype so as to be free from sickle cell disorder and other diseases like HIV”, he said.
Commending the effort of the association for creating awareness on sickle cell disorder and how to manage it, the Emir advocated for a law to make it mandatory for couples to know their genotype before getting married.
The Kebbi State coordinator of the association Hajiya Yahaya Shantali told the emir that as part of activities to mark 2018 world sickle cell day, the NGO in Kebbi State has organized sickle cell walk as well as paper presentation on the need to give specialized care to individuals living with sickle cell and book launch on the activities of KESCA in Kebbi.
Shantali further explained that the association was formed in 2003 and was registered with Corporate Affairs Commission to give support to people living with sickle cell disorder and also to create awareness campaign as well as provide free genotype premarital test and counseling to prospective couples.