By Onomiguren Agbamu
Worries by the increase and to fight against Sickle Cell Anemia, Delta state government has made it compulsory for every new born babies in the state to through screening within 48-72 hours after their birth
This was disclosed in Asaba by Dr. Uche Okwe, sickle cell focal person, during her lecture at a one-day seminar organized by the Delta State Ministry of Health for media practitioners titled ‘Sickle Cell Control And The Role Of The Media’.
She noted that the mandatory screening for babies became necessary for early detection and to help solve a lot of associated challenges such as early death and makes it easier to manage such children and thereby make them suffer little or no crisis.
While soliciting for the support of media practitioners in the sensitization of the public, she revealed that about 2000 babies have been screened since it became mandatory, adding that 26 babies tested positive.
She disclosed that there are about eleven thousand persons living with sickle cell in the state, and treatment for sickle cell patients is free in the state through the sickle cell clinics.
She appealed to media practitioners to make the public know that the government has made the NNS mandatory in various health facilities to detect any sickle cell disorder early for prompt treatment and to let them know that it has become law in the state.
While lamenting the ignorance of many people who still attribute sickle cell disorder to spirituality, noting that people should and must check their genotype before going into marriage.
She stressed that people should not tempt God by thinking genotypes AS and AS could go into marriage without having a sickle cell child.
Adding in her presentation, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo pleaded with Journalists to rally round medical officials to curb sickle cell disorder in the society.
She urged journalists to see the fight against the Sickle Cell Anemia as their own and ensure that they impact positively in the fight.
Participants at the seminar also suggested ways of curbing the SCD by teaching young people, from Primary School age, on the issue of genotype while others expressed the belief that the religious and traditional institutions are also significant in the fight against SCD.
In her remarks at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in Delta state, Dr. Philomena Okeowo advised that journalists should be mindful of how they report SCD.
She said harsh and frightening words should be discouraged, adding that sickle cell is not a death sentence as people have lived with it successfully and with proper care, people survive it.
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