Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to provide free genotype testing in public health facilities nationwide as part of efforts to improve sickle cell prevention and reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families.
The call was made in Abuja on Friday during the public presentation of Understanding Sickle Cell Disease: A Comprehensive Guide for All, written by Adeshetu Odiba, a sickle cell survivor and civil servant.
Odiba said Nigeria carried the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally and argued that government attention and funding for the condition remained insufficient compared with diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
She called for free genotype screening, expanded hospital haematology departments, better-equipped blood banks and increased recruitment of specialist healthcare workers. “Look at HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria — there are dedicated agencies and high sensitivity towards them. But with sickle cell, millions are suffering,” Odiba said.
She also called for sickle cell education to be incorporated into Nigeria’s school curriculum from basic education through university.
According to Odiba, the initiative would help young Nigerians understand genotype compatibility before entering relationships and making decisions about marriage.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration said individuals intending to marry should take responsibility for genotype testing but argued that government support was necessary for people who could not afford the test. “Anyone intending to get married should carry out this test, but for those who are vulnerable, the government should step in and make provision for them to undergo genotype testing for free,” Dr Jumai Ahmad said.
Hajia Hauwa Adamu, President of the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association, pledged support from traditional institutions across the Federal Capital Territory to raise awareness and challenge the stigma associated with sickle cell disease.
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Oluwatobi Adu 