The wife of the Kebbi state governor Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris has advised intending couples to endeavor to go for a Test to determine their health status before marriage.
Hajia Zainab gave the advice on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi in a message to the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Children with Sickle Cell Disorder organized by the Women Rights Initiative (WORI) in collaboration with Kebbi State Sickle Cell Association (KESCA).
The Wife of the governor is represented by a special adviser on Women’s Affairs, Hajia Fatimah. Sani Udu said the objective of such a test will determine whether any of the couples was a bearer of HIV, cancer of the blood, or sickle cell disorder for necessary treatment.
The wife of the governor made it clear that religious doctrine was not against medical tests to determine the health status of either boy or girl before getting married to prepare for family life.
Zainab Nasare affirmed her commitment to the upliftment of the well-being, Health care, and educational pursuits of all women and girls in Kebbi.
She equally pledged to sustain her support towards the nourishment of children and consistently donated food items and cash to the association for the upkeep of the children.
The wife of the governor commended the organizers for the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child in Kebbi State and prayed that activities of the sickle cell association would achieve the target objective.
She described the choice of Sickle cell disorder being the highlight of this year’s celebration as Apt because of the burdensome of the treatment of sickle cell on those carrying the disease.
She therefore advises girls to adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene in their capacity as future mothers.
Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator Kebbi State Sickle Cell Association (KESCA), Hajia Khadijat Y. Shantali appealed to the public to avoid stigmatization and discrimination against persons with sickle cell.
She also solicited support from the government, organizations, and individuals to assist persons especially the girl child with Sickle cell to overcome the ailment in view of the financial economic, and emotional Borden involved.
She said that was why the main focus was on Sickle cell disorder in this year’s celebration of the International Day for the Girl Child.
The coordinator therefore expressed appreciation to the wife of the governor Hajia Zainab Nasare for her support and assistance to the association and the entire women folk in Kebbi State.
