Yobe Provides 700 Sickle Cell Carriers With Free Clinical Care

Yobe government says it has come to the conclusion of its arrangements to make provision for free medical services to 700 sickle cell patients to lessen hardships for carriers and caregivers.

Dr Muhammed Gana, Commissioner for Health, made this known on Monday in Damaturu at an event to commemorate the 2022 World Sickle Cell Day, with the theme: 'Shine the Light'.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Saving One Million Lives (SOML) Programme for Results (PforR) and Sickle Cell Eradication Initiative.

Gana who was represented by Dr Abdullahi Danchua, Director, Nursing Services, said the medical services would be provided through the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YOCHMA).

“Yobe government through YOCHMA’s equity fund will provide free healthcare services to over 700 sickle cell diseases across the state.

“This will reduce the burden of cost implication experienced by parents that are having cases of sickle cell diseases and their households.”

Chairman, Yobe House of Assembly Committee on Health, Alhaji Ajiya Maina, said the House would enact legislation to mandate genotype tests for intending couples before marriage, as this would help to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the state.

Also, Executive Director, Yobe Sickle Cell Disease Eradication Initiative, Dr Aliyu Muhammed emphasised the need for people to know their genotype before marriage.