Showtyme Foundation, a subsidiary of Showtyme Hoopers Basketball Club, conducted free genotype tests for over 100 Ibadan residents on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of accurate genotype knowledge for informed decision-making.
Shoola Durojaiye, the founder of the foundation, shared his personal experience with a misdiagnosis that led to the birth of his first child with sickle cell anaemia. He revealed, “I was initially told I was AA, but later discovered I was AS, resulting in my daughter, Demilade Shoola, being born with SS. We lost her at 12 due to the sickle cell crisis.”
Durojaiye’s ordeal inspired him to create awareness using basketball as a platform, aiming to prevent others from facing similar hardships. He stressed, “Everyone should know their status to make informed choices and protect future generations.”
Samson Mogida, a basketball referee, also shared his experience of being misdiagnosed as AA, which led to challenges managing his son with sickle cell anaemia. He urged for stricter regulation of medical laboratories to prevent inaccurate results, stating, “Managing a child with sickle cell is a heavy burden, one that requires both parents’ involvement.”
Dr. Babatunde Falade of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, highlighted sickle cell as a prevalent yet preventable condition in Nigeria. He urged residents to conduct genotype tests at reputable laboratories and avoid risky genetic combinations, emphasizing that informed choices can protect future generations from the pain and challenges of sickle cell disease.
