Group Urges Ministry of Health to Intensify Genotype Education Nationwide

By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

A group operating under the auspices of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorders has called on the Federal Ministry of Health, led by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, to intensify genotype education and sensitisation across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The group also urged the wives of governors in the 36 states to take the welfare and challenges of children living with sickle cell disorders seriously in their respective states.
This appeal was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the National Coordinator of Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disorders, Mrs. Aisha Maduagwu, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Maduagwu stated that child trafficking, prostitution, sexual exploitation, and ignorance remain major challenges contributing to the scourge of sickle cell disorder in Nigeria.
She specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute those behind the alleged sex abuse activities at the Morning Star brothel in Aguleri, Anambra State.
According to her, a disturbing video currently circulating in the media exposed the heinous activities at the brothel, where about 25 girls from Ebonyi, Imo, and Niger States were reportedly abducted and deceitfully lured into sex slavery and exploitation.
She noted that such activities perpetuate a cycle of vulnerability and social decay, which indirectly contributes to the rising prevalence of sickle cell disease in Nigerian communities.
“This scourge perpetuates the cycle of vulnerability, contributing to the alarming rise of sickle cell disease in our communities.
The carriers are innocent; however, the actors, particularly parents, must take responsibility,” she said.
Maduagwu insisted that millions of innocent children are born with sickle cell disorders due to inadequate and improper genotype education among Nigerians.
She emphasised that this was the reason the group was calling on the Federal Ministry of Health to embark on comprehensive genotype education campaigns across the federation in order to curb the increasing incidence of sickle cell births.
She further stressed the need for intending couples to undergo proper medical and genotype screening before engaging in sexual relationships or marriage.
“While we condemn what happened in Aguleri, Anambra State, we also call on relevant authorities, especially the police, to arrest and prosecute all those involved in these heinous activities,” she added.
Maduagwu also appealed to the wives of governors to prioritise sickle cell disorder cases, noting that the majority of affected children come from poor backgrounds and cannot afford the cost of treatment and long-term care.