STUDY OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE TO BE INTRODUCED IN SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA

downloadOver five thousand babies have been screened of sickle cell disease courtesy of the Anambra State government screening programme . The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, made this known while briefing newsmen on the World Sickle Cell Day in Awka. Dr. Akabuike said the screening programme was designed to reduce the incidence of the Sickle cell in the state to the barest minimum.

According to him, sickle cell is a hereditary blood disorder in which there is not enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body.  The Commissioner listed anemia, episodes of pain, jaundice, frequent infection and eye problems as the signs and symptoms of the disease.

He also enumerated seizures, stroke, blindness, leg ulcers and gallstones as some of the complications of sickle cell. Dr. Akabuike announced that the state government would soon introduce the study of sickle cell disease in schools as a way to guide children on the need to know their genotype before getting married.

 

KEVIN EKEIDGWU

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