Abia Government Integrates Sickle Cell Study Into State’s Education System

The Government of Abia State has integrated the study of Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) into the state school education system in a strategy propelled by the First Lady, Nkechi Ikpeazu, to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the state.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu while flagging off a two-day Train the Trainer Curriculum Dissemination Workshop for teachers, in Umuahia said his government is committed to generating as much awareness as possible about the disease so that the populace can make informed decisions about life choices and marriage partners.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Chris Ezem, said his administration has made a legislation that makes it compulsory for every citizen in the state to undertake genotype and blood group test and have the results on their identity cards.

Meanwhile institutions and marriage registries that wed or join couples without first demanding test results, run the risk of being fined or closed.

The President of Vicar Hope Foundation and First Lady of Abia State, Nkechi Ikpeazu, who was represented by the Administrator of the Foundation, Dr Edith Nwosu, revealed that an estimated 150,000 babies are born each year with sickle cell anaemia.

She said most of them died before they turned five years old while those who survived the illness beyond age five, became financial and emotional burden on families and caregivers as they struggle to keep them from dying.

The First Lady said the only cure for SCD is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant adding that the process is very expensive, thus the best approach remains for people seeking to have babies to ensure they have matching genotypes.