Showtyme Foundation Offers Free Genotype Testing to 100 Ibadan Residents.
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
In a bid to promote awareness and prevention of Sickle Cell Anemia, Showtyme Foundation, a subsidiary of Showtyme Hoopers Basketball Club, conducted free genotype testing for 100 residents of Ibadan.
The event’s founder, Shoola Durojaiye, shared his personal experience of losing his 12-year-old daughter to Sickle Cell Anemia due to incorrect diagnosis.
“I was wrongly diagnosed as AA instead of AS, leading to unintended consequences, I went ahead to marry my ex-wife who is AS and our first child was SS while the other two girls are AS.
“I lost my 12 year-old daughter, Demilade Shoola last month due to Sickle Cell Anaemia crisis.
“It was a difficult one for me, as a family we’ve gone through a lot due to the result error,” he said.
Durojaiye emphasised the importance of accurate diagnosis and awareness, stating, “Sickle Cell affects millions worldwide. Everyone should know their status, make informed choices, and protect future generations.”
He, however, called for more awareness and sensitisation for parents and the importance of double checking their genotype.
“The game of basketball has always been a great medium and platform to get across to our teeming youths and community at large.
“ Today we’re creating awareness and shedding more light on Sickle Cell Anaemia and the doctor from University College Hospital (UCH) is enlightening all who came out for the free testing,” he said.
Samson Mogida, a basketball referee, shared his own experience of incorrect diagnosis, highlighting the need for reliable laboratory testing.
“Many families like mine are in serious pains. Before I got married, I did my genotype to know my status and result was AA.
“While growing up, I stumbled on the result of the laboratory test that my parents conducted on me and the result was also AA.
“ I have the confidence that I can marry anyone of any genotype since I am AA. After I got married, God bless us with a son who was constantly falling sick.
“I visited one of the reputable laboratory in Ibadan to run anther genotype test on him, only to be given a contrary result of AS.
“I was very angry and called them all manners of names that they didn’t know what they were doing.
“They encouraged me to go to UCH and carry out another test, which I did including four other laboratories to carry out the test, and it all said the same `AS’.
“ It was very painful and devastating to accept that I am AS and not AA.
“Why I went to do the test was because my son was said to be SS, and my wife confirmed to be AS,” he said.
Mogida said that managing the situation had not been easy; adding that, a single mother or father, can’t manage such a child alone.
Dr Babatunde Falade, said that sickle cell was a common health condition in the country, and one of the very few conditions that was preventable.
Dr Falade explained further that Sickle Cell Anemia is preventable and characterised by low blood levels and abnormal blood cell shape. “Knowing one’s genotype is crucial in making informed decisions before having children,” he stressed.
He said that Sickle Cell was characterised by low blood level and abnormal shape of blood vessel.
“What happens is that the person doesn’t have enough cells. The cells die early when compared to other cells, which cause a reduction in oxygen delivery to other vital organs.
“This is because of the deficiency or abnormal protein that’s surrounding the red blood cells. The normal red blood cell should be round or oval, but the one with sickle cell is s shaped.
“What we see in Sickle Cell Anemia is that they have low immunity, low blood level and get tired easily, jaundice and constant break down of the cells,” he said.
Falade said that everyone needs to know that this is preventive when we all know our genotypes.
“Constant checks are important for ourselves and loved ones in a reputable laboratory and then make an informed decision before having children.
“The various genotypes are AA, AS, SS, SC, and AC. Everyone should avoid a combination that will result in SS,” he said
