A health practitioner has urged couples planning to marry to undergo medical screening, particularly genotype testing, to reduce the risk of passing sickle cell disease to their children.
Alfred Aliah, a Physician Assistant, made the call during an interview on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday, January 29.
He stressed that knowing one’s genotype before marriage is a critical step in preventing avoidable health complications in families.
According to him, individuals with the AS genotype are carriers of the sickle cell trait and risk having children with sickle cell disease if they marry partners with compatible genotypes such as AS or SS.
“If you are AS and marry someone who is also AS, there is a chance your children may be born with sickle cell disease. The risk is even higher when an AS individual marries an SS partner.” Aliah explained.
He noted that while love is an important foundation for marriage, health considerations must not be overlooked.
“Marriage is not only about love. These are important issues couples need to consider before settling down, otherwise they may give birth to children whose condition comes with significant stress and lifelong management.” He said.
Aliah further highlighted that sickle cell disease is associated with serious complications, including recurrent pain crises, frequent hospital visits, and emotional and financial strain on families.
He also advised patients living with sickle cell disease and their families to seek prompt medical attention, especially during crises marked by severe or persistent pain, to prevent further complications.
Sickle cell disease remains a major public health concern in Ghana, and health professionals continue to advocate early testing and public education as key measures to reduce its prevalence.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
