In a powerful move to combat the rising incidence of sickle cell disease, the Xtra Youth Support and Care Organisation (XYSCO) has called on young people to prioritize genotype testing before entering romantic relationships. This message was emphasized during a highly engaging and informative seminar held at the KNUST Senior High School campus in Kumasi.
The event, which attracted scores of students and faculty members, focused on sickle cell disease awareness, prevention, and the importance of early testing to avoid avoidable heartbreaks and future suffering for unborn children.
Dr. Efuah Owusu Ansah, a respected dietitian and advocate for youth health, led the seminar with a heartfelt plea to students.
“Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder passed from parents to children. If two people who both carry the sickle gene (AS) fall in love and marry without knowing their genotypes, they risk giving birth to a child with the SS genotype,” she explained. “This condition brings severe pain, constant hospital visits, and emotional and financial burdens on families.”
She urged the students to take responsibility for their health by getting tested before making long-term relationship commitments.
“Know your genotype before dating seriously. It’s not just about love—it’s also about protecting your future children,” Dr. Owusu Ansah emphasized.
She also provided vital health tips for those already living with the disease. These included staying hydrated, managing stress, eating a balanced, iron-rich diet, and seeking regular medical care.
“With proper care and lifestyle changes, sickle cell patients can live healthier, longer lives,” she said.
Adding to the message was Madam Catherine A. Korankye Eastwood, a Principal Nursing Officer and Preceptor at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, who took participants through the medical complications associated with the disease. She mentioned conditions such as severe anaemia, joint and bone pain, stroke, organ failure, and delayed growth in children as some of the effects of the SS genotype.
“The pain that children with sickle cell go through is unimaginable. It starts from early childhood and often lasts a lifetime,” she said. “This is why prevention is better than cure. And prevention starts with knowing your status.”
She also encouraged the youth not to see genotype testing as a barrier to love, but as a wise step in responsible decision-making.
“Let genotype testing be just as important as choosing a school or career. It should be part of your life plans,” she advised.
Madam Korankye Eastwood further stressed that individuals with the AA genotype should not be pressured for whom they choose to marry, as long as they are aware of the potential risks and are emotionally and financially prepared.
The seminar ended with an interactive session, during which students asked questions, shared experiences, and pledged to get tested and educate their peers. Many attendees admitted that they had never considered genotype compatibility as a critical part of dating and marriage decisions before this session.
Participants thanked XYSCO for bringing such life-changing education to their doorstep and appealed for the campaign to reach more schools across the country.
According to XYSCO officials, the outreach program will continue in the coming weeks with visits to other senior high schools and tertiary institutions.
As the students dispersed, one powerful message remained etched in their minds:
“Sickle cell is preventable—know your genotype before you fall in love.”
