Anambra State set to implement Sickle Cell law. It will now be mandatory to verify your genotype before marriage

Governor Willie Obiano

The Anambra State Governor has mandated that couples who intend to get married in the state must screen for sickle cell syndrome before marriage.

The statement was made by his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, in a ceremony to mark this year's Sickle Cell Day in Awka recently.

According to the Commissioner, violators would be denied certain privileges from the state government.

He went further to add that the state would partner with churches to enforce this order. He noted that churches had a major role in the fight against the medical condition because of their involvement when couples want to get married.

The governor stated that the government would set up sickle cell state-of-the-art clinics in the three senatorial districts of the state. He also mentioned that people living with the sickle cell disorder would be treated without charge under a health scheme that would soon be launched in the state.