Sanusi leads fresh campaign against sickle cell, pushes mandatory genotype screening in Kano

Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, has renewed the Kano Emirate’s campaign against sickle cell disease, urging greater public awareness and stronger support for mandatory genotype screening before marriage as part of efforts to reduce the prevalence of the inherited disorder in the state.

Represented by Lamido Abubakar Bayero at a one-day advocacy seminar held to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day in Kano, the Emir said the emirate remained committed to initiatives that improve public health through community mobilisation, education and early disease prevention.

He disclosed that district heads across the Kano Emirate had already been mobilised to strengthen community health data collection, including records of pregnancies, births and other demographic information that could assist government agencies and healthcare providers in planning effective disease prevention programmes.

Sanusi said traditional institutions have a responsibility to complement government efforts by using their influence to educate families on preventable health conditions, especially sickle cell disease, which continues to affect thousands of households across Nigeria.

The seminar, themed “Faith-Based Advocacy for Sickle Cell Prevention and Genotype Awareness in Kano State,” brought together Muslim and Christian clerics, health experts and community leaders to explore the role of religious institutions in promoting genotype awareness, premarital counselling and preventive healthcare.

The renewed advocacy comes as Kano continues to grapple with one of northern Nigeria’s highest burdens of inherited blood disorders, largely due to its large population and low uptake of genotype testing before marriage.

Although precise state figures fluctuate, health experts have consistently warned that thousands of children are born annually with sickle cell disease in Kano and neighbouring states, contributing to avoidable childhood illnesses, repeated hospital admissions and premature deaths.

Over the years, the Kano State Government, teaching hospitals and civil society organisations have organised awareness campaigns to encourage genotype testing among intending couples. However, poor public awareness, cultural beliefs, late presentation at health facilities and the absence of mandatory screening have continued to undermine efforts to reduce new cases.

Beyond sickle cell disease, health professionals have also expressed concern over the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections in parts of the state, prompting renewed calls for comprehensive premarital medical screening to detect hereditary and infectious diseases before marriage.

Annette Akinsete, National Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, said Nigeria accounts for the highest number of sickle cell births globally, making the disease one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.

She explained that sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder affecting haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. According to her, abnormal sickle-shaped blood cells restrict blood flow, leading to severe pain, organ damage, anaemia and increased risk of infections.

Akinsete said many families continue to suffer emotional, social and financial hardship because of the disease, stressing that prevention remains the most effective strategy.

She urged religious leaders to make genotype testing a compulsory requirement before conducting marriage ceremonies in churches and mosques, arguing that faith-based organisations are strategically positioned to influence behavioural change and reduce the number of children born with the condition.

Bitrus Nuhu, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kano State, described sickle cell disease as a lifelong inherited disorder that has devastated many families through repeated medical emergencies and rising healthcare costs.

He encouraged intending couples to undergo genotype screening before marriage and advocated subsidised treatment for people living with the disease.

Nuhu also called for stronger collaboration between religious bodies, government agencies and healthcare organisations to expand public education and improve access to screening and treatment services.

Ibrahim Khalid, Chairman of the Kano State Council of Ulama, endorsed mandatory premarital medical screening, saying prospective couples should undergo genotype, HIV, hepatitis and other relevant health tests before marriage.

He described sickle cell disease as a major public health concern with enormous economic consequences for affected families, many of whom spend substantial portions of their income managing recurring health complications.

Khalid urged both government and religious institutions to intensify awareness campaigns, noting that early testing would help intending couples make informed decisions and reduce the incidence of inherited diseases.

Medical experts at the seminar also noted that advances in newborn screening, improved access to specialist care and increased public awareness have significantly improved survival rates for people living with sickle cell disease. However, they stressed that prevention through genotype compatibility remains the most sustainable solution.

Participants agreed that religious institutions, traditional rulers and community leaders must work together to promote premarital counselling, encourage routine genotype testing and eliminate misconceptions surrounding the disease.

They expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between faith-based organisations, health authorities and traditional institutions would strengthen public awareness and help reduce the burden of sickle cell disease and other preventable hereditary conditions across Kano State.