Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) is set to promote the use of a 10-minute point of care rapid test kit and Hemotypes kit to improve access and reduce the wrong diagnosis of sickle cell disease in the country. SCHAF’s President, Professor Adeyinka Falusi launches the kit at a workshop on knowing your genotype and empowerment programme for 10 caregivers and people living with sickle cell disease in Ibadan. The medical expert said the test kit has already been adopted by the World Health Organisation. Oyo State Commissioner for Health Dr Bashir Bello who spoke through Director, Public Health, Dr Wole Lawal said that sickle cell disease was rife in Nigeria and has economic, social and medical implications. He stated that people with sickle cell disease face a lot of complications of the disease, including pain, and advised everyone to know their genotype even before marriage.

Source: Nigerian Tribune January 07, 2020 18:22 UTC