Make Genotype Testing Compulsory Before Marriage, Sickle Cell Orphanage Founder Urges

By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The founder of the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Anambra State, Mrs. Aisha Maduagwu, has called on churches, traditional rulers, and community leaders to make genotype testing compulsory for intending couples before marriage.
Maduagwu made the call amid growing concerns over the rising number of sickle cell cases in Anambra, Ebonyi, and other states in the South-East region.
She spoke on Thursday while interacting with Insideoutnews in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, where she expressed deep concern over what she described as avoidable suffering caused by ignorance and negligence regarding genotype compatibility.
According to her, collective action by religious, traditional, and government institutions could significantly reduce the increasing number of children born with sickle cell disorder in the region.
“We can drastically reduce the rising number of people living with sickle cell disorder in the South-East if we all join hands,”
“Churches and village leaders should stop giving out their daughters or allowing their sons to marry without proper medical screening, especially genotype testing.”she said.
She lamented that many homes have collapsed due to what she described as “avoidable mistakes” stemming from incompatible genotypes, often resulting in the birth of children with sickle cell disorder and other genetic diseases.
“Many marriages have broken down today because couples ignored genotype issues at the beginning. These mistakes later lead to sickle cell births and unbearable emotional and financial strain on families,” she noted.
Maduagwu therefore urged clergy members to take a firm stand by making genotype testing a compulsory requirement for all intending couples seeking to wed in their churches.
She also called on traditional rulers and village heads whom she described as custodians of the people to support the initiative at the community level.
“Village heads are fathers to everyone in their communities. They should also join this cause. If they enforce genotype testing before marriage, the risk of having children with sickle cell disorder in our communities will be greatly reduced,” she said.
The orphanage founder further disclosed that she is advocating for the policy to be incorporated into state legislation.
“This should form part of a public safety law, alongside health insurance policies we are asking the State House of Assembly to consider,” she added.
Highlighting the burden of sickle cell care, Maduagwu revealed that Anambra State currently records the highest number of sickle cell patients under her care, followed closely by Ebonyi State.
“In my orphanage home in Agulu, Anambra State, Anambra has the highest number of sickle cell patients, followed by Ebonyi,” she explained.
Insideoutnews also gathered that the orphanage spends close to ₦3,000 daily to feed a single sickle cell patient, excluding medical expenses an amount that underscores the financial strain involved in managing the condition.