Nasarawa Teaching Hospital offers free genotype screening on Sickle Cell Day
By Esther Enna
As the World marks the 2025 International Sickle Cell Awareness Day, Federal University Teaching Hospital FUTH, Lafia, Nasarawa State has offered free genotype screening and counselling to about 1000 people across the state as part of activities marking the day.
A Consultant Paediatrician in the Department of Paediatrics, FUTH Lafia, Doctor Sunday Ozhe said the initiative was in line with the global efforts towards raising awareness about sickle cell disease, prevention and management.
He urged governments at all levels to initiate policies that would make genotype screening compulsory for students enrollment in schools.
The international sickle cell awareness day is observed every 19th June annually to increase public knowledge and an understanding of the disease as well as the challenges experienced by patients, their families and caregivers.
According to the Paediatrician, the initiative also aimed to promote early detection and management.
Dr. Ozhe noted that the screening and counselling cover a wider audience, including women, men, secondary school students and children and to provide individuals with valuable information about their genotype and the risks associated with sickle cell disease.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to journalists in Lafia commended organisers of the screening as it availed them the opportunity to know their genotypes.
The 2025 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day theme: ‘Global Action, Local Impact, Empowering Communities for Effective Self Advocacy’.
