By Asma’u Ahmad
The Sokoto State Government has advocated voluntary premarital counselling and screening for Sickle Cell disease, HIV, and Hepatitis.
The state Ministry of Health has also advised all intending couples inthe state to undergo counselling, screening and testing not only for Sickle Cell Disease, but also for HIV and Hepatitis.
Dr Balarabe Kakale
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Balarabe Kakale, spoke in Sokoto on Monday when the members of the Sokoto State Accountability Coalition on Maternal Health (SACoM) which was initiated by the Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR), paid him a.visit.
He said: “This will reduce to the barest minimum, the prevalence of the ailments in our communities. The state government is also advocating for the use of Insecticide Treated Nets by residents across the state.
“This is to eradicate the scourge of malaria and we have suggested the addition of at least one mosquito net in bridal wares (Kayan Lefe). The state government has more than enough ITNs in its stores and will make it available for free, to tackle the menace of malaria.”
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 2017 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, organised by the ministry, Dr Kakale said his ministry has not proposed any law that will force intending couples to undergo screening and testing for any ailment, including SCD, HIV or HBV.
He also encouraged the populace to register for the state community contributory Health Scheme, to reduce the cost of treating sickle cell and all its complications.
The commissioner said that the scheme would take care of several other ailments, as well as bone fractures caused by road crashes and allow for Universal Health Coverage.
Dr Kakale welcomed the formation of the coalition in the state and urged it to focus more on the rural areas.
The commissioner further promised to partner with the coalition, to further improve health indices in the state.
