Survivors Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, on Monday advised potential couples to ascertain their genotype before marriage.
The Founder of the Foundation, Mr Muhammad Abiola, gave the advice during a sensitisation programme on sickle cell anaemia in Ilorin.
He warned suitors against going into marriage once the result of the genotype test indicated that their proposed union with their partners could lead to them having children with sickle cell.
According to Abiola, the programme was organised to prevent cases of sickle cell anaemia patients in the state.
He said that the organisation had embarked on awareness campaign on the prevention of sickle cell anaemia through constant advocacy on the need to ascertain genotype status.
Abiola called for support and care for sickle cell patients in the society with a view to reducing stigmatisation and promotion of their welfare.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme featured free diagnoses of ailments and genotype test, as well as distribution of free drugs and treated mosquito nets.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Imam El-Zakariyah, commended the Foundation for the gesture which gave him and hundreds of other beneficiaries the opportunity to ascertain their genotype.
El-Zakariyah urged other non-governmental organisations to pay more attention to the health sector in order to improve the living standard of the people.
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