1 week ago
22
When I got married more than two decades ago, I was aware of the term “genotype,” but I neither fully understood its implications nor considered it a priority. At the time, genotype compatibility was not a major concern, and I simply assumed I was AA. How did I reach that conclusion? I had no idea.
When my husband proposed, I accepted without hesitation—he was the perfect man for me, so what else was I waiting for? It wasn’t until my first pregnancy that I underwent my first-ever medical test, an HIV screening. Fortunately, the result was negative, but it made me realise just how careless I had been about my health.
Fast forward 15 years into my marriage, my youngest son began experiencing recurrent leg pains. Concerned, we took him to the hospital, where several tests were conducted, including a genotype test. When the result came back AS, I rejected it outright, convinced it was an error. After all, both my husband and I were AA—how could our child be AS?
When my husband returned home, I confronted him about the “mistake.” His response shook me to my core: “I’m not surprised; I am AS.” I couldn’t believe my ears. It wasn’t that I wouldn’t have married him had I known earlier, but the fact that I had simply assumed was deeply unsettling. In that moment, I realised we had narrowly escaped a lifetime of pain—every single one of our children turned out to be AS.
Not everyone is as fortunate. I know of a couple with seven children, six of whom are healthy, while one was later diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite this, they refused to undergo genotype testing, and the wife is currently pregnant again. What does it take to prevent such tragedies apart from simple awareness, effort, and sacrifice? How do we ever hope to eradicate this menace from our society when ignorance and selfishness reign supreme?
A significant number of couples enter marriage without understanding the genetic consequences of incompatible genotypes (e.g., AS + AS). Many are like the couple with seven children—refusing to test, ignoring medical advice, and relying on blind hope.
Religious and cultural beliefs often override scientific facts, pushing people to take unnecessary risks. Instead of making informed decisions, we attribute everything to fate and refuse to take responsibility for our choices. But destiny does not exempt us from the consequences of ignorance.
Some couples, even after discovering their genotype incompatibility, choose to proceed with marriage, believing in luck or divine intervention. But if God grants you knowledge, is it not a test of wisdom to use it rather than wait for another miracle?
Raising a child with sickle cell disease is an enormous physical, emotional, and financial burden—one that parents knowingly impose on their children simply because they refuse to make a responsible choice. Is love truly worth it if it condemns an innocent child to a lifetime of suffering?
In many parts of Nigeria, societal expectations push individuals—especially women—into rushed marriages without proper genotype screening. A girl constantly reminded that she is “getting old” may settle for any available suitor, even if he is AS, just to escape the whispers and stigma.
Some individuals, fearing the heartbreak of a broken engagement, choose silence over health. In some cases, people even manipulate test results just to justify their decisions. This reckless disregard for the future only perpetuates the cycle of suffering.
Religious and cultural leaders also bear responsibility. Their voices carry weight in our society, yet many fail to emphasize the importance of genotype compatibility in marriage counseling. How many sermons or pre-marriage classes truly address the long-term consequences of genetic irresponsibility?
Beyond personal suffering, sickle cell disease places immense financial strain on families and the healthcare system. The cost of managing a sickle cell patient—from frequent hospital visits to expensive medications—is overwhelming. Many families are left in financial ruin, unable to cope with the demands of the disease they could have prevented.
For a country already struggling with inadequate healthcare, the continued rise in SCD cases is an unnecessary burden. Why should we keep treating preventable cases when we have the power to stop them before they begin?
Nigeria cannot continue to treat genotype awareness as a mere suggestion. It must be a legal requirement.
The government should enforce mandatory genotype testing for all intending couples. A law should be in place to ensure that no couple enters marriage blindly. Those who knowingly defy this should face consequences—not as punishment, but as a deterrent against recklessness.
Just as there are aggressive campaigns against gender-based violence (GBV), the Ministry of Health must prioritize a widespread awareness campaign on SCD prevention. Billboards, media programs, and community outreach should make genotype education as common as discussions on family planning.
Imams, pastors, and traditional rulers must take an active role in educating their followers on genotype compatibility. Their voices are powerful enough to shape decisions—why not use that influence for the greater good?
Ignorance is no longer an excuse. The information is available, the science is clear, and the consequences are too dire to ignore. If we truly care about our future generations, we must act now.
The question is: will we?
English (US) ·