INFANT MORTALITY: GO FOR TEST BEFORE MARRIAGE, HEALTH COMMISSIONER ADVISES INTENDING COUPLES

   INFANT MORTALITY: GO FOR TEST BEFORE MARRIAGE, HEALTH COMMISSIONER ADVISES INTENDING COUPLES

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, has advised intending couples to go for screening to determine their blood status before tying the knots to guide against having children with sickle cell in the future.

Dr. Coker gave the advice when she declared open a 2-day training for Health Workers on Comprehensive Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Ogun State, organized by the Ministry of Health in Abeokuta.

She disclosed that about 150,000 children are born annually in Nigeria with sickle cell disease with 90 percent mortality rate, making the country the world's leading contributor to infant mortality from sickle cell disease.

"An estimated 150,000 babies are born annually in Nigeria with sickle cell disease. It is a heredity disorder that leads to death of 70%-90% infants before the age of 5. Sadly, Only a small portion of affected infants and children in Sub-Saharan Africa reach adolescence due to the gaps in our health system."

"Very few of these children see their fifth birthdays. This is not acceptable for a disease which is preventable through early detection, appropriate interventions and management.

She however said 70% of deaths from the disease could be prevented with a low-cost diagnostic and treatment plan, disclosing that Governor Dapo Abiodun's consistent investment in the health sector will contribute to a significant reduction in the burden of discorder such as sickle cell disease. 

The Commissioner said that the workshop is the first comprehensive newborn screening for sickle cell disease programme in the State and part of government's strategies to reduce under five mortality, expressing optimism of a success story regarding fight against sickle cell disease in the nearest furure. 

"The workshop is in collaboration with partners to have a comprehensive reborn screening for the south west. Ogun State is the leading light in the south west and the first to embrace the screening programme which is the beginning of a statewide screening for the over 20,000 babies that are delivered in the State annually", the Commissioner explained.

While noting that sickle cell disease is not a death sentence as it could be managed to enable the patient live a normal life to old age, Dr. Coker however enjoined parents, particularly interested mother's who unfortunately have had babies born with the disease to take advantage of the screening programme which would be carried out in health facilities across the State.

The Director, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Dr. Festus Soyinka, in his opening remarks, said participants at the workshop would be exposed to the five components the newborn screening including testing, tracking, treatment, education and evaluation, calling on them to maximize the training opportunity given to them. 

In her goodwill message, the Workshop facilitator and a  Consultant Haematologist, Professor Norah Akinola, described the programme as a landmark event in South-West Nigeria that will end the tears of many mothers and families, appreciating the Ogun State government for prioritizing the health of the citizens.