Nigerian singer Adekunle has advised couples to undergo genotype testing before marriage, stressing the need to confirm compatibility before having children.
Speaking in an interview, he called for greater awareness of sickle cell and urged people to understand the condition before making decisions about marriage and childbirth.
Adekunle said genotype testing was among the first steps he and his wife took when they met.
“When we met,the first thing we did was to know our genotype that we match,” he said.
Describing the test as simple, he added, “Yes its easy test, you do it and then they tell you she’s AA and I’m AS. So you have to do that first.”
He also urged couples to consider the risks associated with having children when their genotypes could increase the chances of sickle cell disease.
While encouraging people living with sickle cell not to abandon their ambitions, Adekunle said couples should make informed choices about having children.
“We tell people, if you have sickle cell, forget love, you can’t do it, it makes no sense,” he said.
“Because you’re about to bring a child into the world and about to be sickly, what is the point?” he added.
Asked what he would do if his wife had sickle cell, he replied, “There’s no way I would have done that.”
