Pre-marital Screening pivotal to Addressing Sickle Cell – Expert

By Dije Haidar

The head of department haematology and blood transfusion,Aminu kano teaching hospital (AKTH), Dr. Aisha Amal Galadanci has described pre marital screening as the only way to curtail sickle cell anaemia.

Dr. Aisha made the indication during an event to commemorate world blood donor and sickle cell day,held at Saadatu Rimi college of education,Kano.

According to her,the event was organized to create public awareness and knowledge about sickle cell disease.

She pointed out that the department had also lunched blood campaign for individuals to donate blood for emergency cases at the clinic.

“To create public awareness and knowledge of sickle cell disease as well as the importance of pre marital screening”

Also speaking,a consultant naematologist and chairman servicom AKTH, Dr. Dalha Haliru Gwarzo explained that, renewed commitment by government and relevant stakeholders to support blood transfusion will go a long way in reducing challenges faced by sickle cell patients.

He said, providing the needed expertise, equipments and environment by government would go a long way in boosting availability of safe and adequate blood.

” Blood donors must be free from chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure,diabetes, epilepsy “

In her remarks,head of Aminu kano teaching hospital blood donation center,Hajiya Salamatu Dahiru, maintained that blood donors should be aged between 18-65 with a body weight of atleast 50kg.

She described voluntary blood donors as back bone of societal development who freely give out their blood without recieving payments.

“Blood donors should rest for atleast 5-15 minutes at the hospital to ensure their safety”

Meanwhile ,assistant executive director,sickle cell community,Rukayya Kamal Ibrahim decried over discrimination faced by sickle cell patients.

She reaffirmed their dedication to improving the lives of people living with sickle cell disease.

The event organized by department of haematology and blood transfusion AKTH was marked by series of activities including free haemoglobin genotype test at Saadatu Rimi college of education clinic.