Breaking the sickle cell cycle begins with testing, counselling and informed family planning decisions
Health experts in Tanzania are advocating for increased genetic testing and counseling to manage the prevalence of the sickle cell gene. Early screening is presented as a vital tool for informed family planning.
Why it matters
Addresses a significant public health challenge in Africa, where high carrier rates necessitate better genetic education and medical infrastructure.
DAR ES SALAAM: FOR many young people, starting a family is a major life decision. Yet before marriage or parenthood, one simple piece of information can help couples understand an important genetic risk: Whether they carry the sickle cell gene.
Knowing their status does not determine what couples should do. Instead, testing and appropriate genetic counselling provide information that can help them understand how sickle cell disease is inherited and make informed reproductive decisions.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines sickle cell disease as a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the HBB gene, which affects the production of haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
People who inherit two copies of the haemoglobin S gene, one from each parent, develop sickle cell disease. Those who inherit one copy generally have sickle cell trait and usually do not experience symptoms of the disease.
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