‘Malaria eradication could lead to elimination of sickle cell anaemia’

South-West Coordinator, Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria (SCSSN), Prof. Nora Akinola, on Thursday, said eliminating malaria in Nigeria could lead to the elimination of sickle cell traits.
Akinola disclosed this during a workshop for health workers in Abuja to commemorate the 2015 World Sickle Cell Day scheduled for June 19.
She said “malaria sustains the existence of sickle cell traits in our community thus, until it is eradicated, the gene could remain”.
According to her, a statistical analysis can be carried out to ascertain the number of years it will take to eliminate sickle cell traits in country.
However, she said this may not happen overnight and so, government must make more efforts to eradicate malaria.
She said: “Malaria is responsible for maintaining gene mutation.
“Even if we prevent traits carriers’ haemoglobin `S’ from marrying themselves, that doesn’t eradicate haemoglobin ‘S’ from our society.’’
She said it is difficult to make a law that will prevent marriages of the trait carriers (AS).
This, she said will be denying people from exercising their fundamental human rights.
“It is a business between love and genotype where the affected individuals will decide. Some people feel that with true love, they can take care of the child and also bear the burden. Since the manifestation of the disease varies, we do not know how the severity of the disease will be to one’s child. Because if we are in love, we should not do things that will inflict pains on another human being,’’ Akinola said.
According to the don, sickle cell disease is a behavioural change disease.
She said that they are encouraged to drink lots of water until their urine becomes colourless.
“This will allow the sickle cell to move around and get oxygenated without delay,’’ she said.
She advised sickle cell patients to avoid malaria infection.
She said: “The spleen is an organ that provides immunity for people but once it is damaged, it will not be able to prevent the system from being infected.
“Sickle cell patients should protect their spleen by taking anti malarial prophylaxis, penicillin tablets as prescribed by a doctor, in order to boost their immunity.’’
She advised the patients to eat nutritious foods at least, six or eight times in a day with regular visits to the hospital.