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Tag: Genotype

  • See top 5 key tests to conduct before getting married

    See top 5 key tests to conduct before getting married

    An NGO, Al-Mu’asharah Marriage and Counseling Foundation (AMGCF) has advocated the introduction of genotype and four other tests for intending couples to enhance healthcare of people in the society.

    Chairman of the foundation, Imam Nura Abubakar-Assalafy, who disclosed this in an interview on Saturday in Katsina, listed the four other tests to include hepatitis, mental health, pregnancy and drugs.

    Abubakar-Assalafy added introduction of HIV/AIDS test before marriage has helped greatly in reducing the number of people infected by their marriage partners.

    The chairman, therefore, urged lawmakers to enact laws that would mandate would-be couples to conduct those tests before the marriage union.

    Abubakar-Assalafy said, “We know how children living with sickle cell anemia are suffering, their parents also suffer in terms of shouldering medical care for such children.

    “This disease has no cure because it is genetically transmitted, the only cure is to avoid marriage between the two diagnosed sickle cell anemia persons or carrier partners.”

    He also said that hepatitis, another deadly disease, could equally be transmitted through closed contact with an infected person, hence the need to enforce diagnosis before marriage, to reduce the rate of the disease.

    On a mental health test, Abubakar-Assalafy said that though some people might appear neat, they could be having a form of mental illness which could only be identified through a test.

    “If one of the couples is having such a problem, there is the tendency of having problems in that family, that might lead to some forms of cheating without knowing the real cause of the problem,” he said.

    The chairman also said that a pregnancy test is very important before marriage, to avoid marrying a woman with pregnancy at an early stage.

    On drug test, Abubakar-Assalafy called on the lawmakers to enact laws that would compel intending couples to go to the NDLEA for drug test, explaining that would assist to reduce the rate of drug abuse in the society.

    The chairman also said that the foundation organises seminars on marital affairs for couples, reconciles them in case of misunderstanding and links males and females in marriage.

    Abubakar-Assalafy identified ignorance and selfish interests as the major factors responsible for divorce.

    He, therefore, urged couples to live in peace by respecting each other, searching for marriage knowledge, talking to one another in good manners, keeping themselves clean and being pious.

  • Why you should know your child’s genotype early

    Why you should know your child’s genotype early

    Dr Adebukola Orolu, a Consultation Haematologist at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos, has urged parents to know their children’s genotype from a tender age to reduce sickle anaemia mortality rate.

    Orolu, the Head of Haematology Department in the hospital, said this on Monday in Lagos at a programme to sensitise students on sickle cell disorder, held at Igando Senior High School, Lagos.

    World Sickle Cell Day is observed every June 19 globally to raise awareness about sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and its impact on individuals, families and communities worldwide.

    Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder in which abnormal red blood cells take on a crescent or sickle shape and these irregularly shaped cells cause blockages in blood vessels resulting in various health problems.

    Orolu said:  “Close to 150,000 children are born with sickle cell disease in Nigeria and this is a big health challenge.

    “We want Nigerians to know their genotype and that of their children at a tender age to commence care for  children with SCD on time and prevent other health issues that may arise in nearest future.

    “The Lagos State Government has already started newborn screening in all the general hospitals in the state so that children with sickle cell can be cared for.

    “Some parent don’t know their children’s genotype until they are over five years and more.

    “If all the necessary care is given at a little age, the mortality rate for under-five sickle cell carriers will reduce”.

    The Consultant added that students in secondary schools should also be aware of their genotypes in order to guard them.

    “The reason why we are having this programme here is because a lot of our students don’t know their genotype and they have attained puberty.

    “This is where sexual education comes in, so that they will take the right decision when they are ready for any relationship in the nearest future or marriage,” she said.

    She urged intending couples to seek medical advise before getting married in order to break the chain of sickle cell disease in the country.

    She advised sickle cell patients to take their medication regularly, eat the right proportion of food, fruit vegetables and take a lot of water to help reduce complications.

    Speaking also, Dr Ayodapo Soyinka, the Medical Director of the hospital said the programme was put together to create awareness about the disease, noting that people with SCD should not be discriminated against.

    Soyinka, represented by Dr Jane Bakare, the HOD of Medicine Department of the facility, urged the students to take the information back to their parents, communities and friends to know there Genotype.

    Wisdom Irueghe and Badmus Labeebah, both SS2 students of the school, commended the hospital for educating them on the importance of knowing their genotype and sickle cell disease.