The Head of Department Haematology and Blood transfusion, at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dr. Aisha Amal Galadanci has described the pre-marital screening as the only way to curtail sickle cell Anaemia.
Dr. Aisha made the indication during an event to commemorate the World Blood Donor and Sickle Cell Day, held at Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano.
According to her, the event was organized to create public awareness and knowledge about sickle cell disease.
She pointed out that the department had also launched a campaign for individuals to donate blood for emergency cases at the clinic just to “ create public awareness and knowledge of sickle cell disease as well as the importance of pre-marital screening”.
Also speaking, a consultant Haematologist and Chairman Servicom AKTH, Dr. Dalha Haliru Gwarzo explained that a renewed commitment by the government and relevant stakeholders to support blood transfusion would go a long way in reducing challenges faced by sickle cell patients.
He said, providing the needed expertise, equipments and environment by government would pave ways in boosting availability of safe and adequate blood.
” Blood donors must be free from chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure,diabetes, epilepsy “
In her remark, Head of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Blood Donation Center, Hajiya Salamatu Dahiru, maintained that blood donor should be aged between 18-65 with a body weight of at least 50kg.
She described voluntary blood donors as back bone of societal development who freely give out their blood without recieving payments.
Meanwhile, Assistant Executive Director, Sickle Cell Community, Ruqayya Kamal Ibrahim decried over discrimination faced by sickle cell patients.
She reaffirmed their dedication to improving the lives of people living with sickle cell disease.
The event organized by the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion AKTH was marked by a series of activities including free haemoglobin genotype test at the Saadatu Rimi College of Education Clinic.
COV/ KHADIJAH ALIYU
