Ghana has launched a national sickle cell disease (SCD) strategy which seeks to improve the overall outcomes of patients with sickle cell disease through the establishment of a robust governance structure for the management of the condition in the country.The strategy which seeks to strengthen preventive strategies for SCD as well as reinforce genetic counselling measures in hospitals, communities and churches, is aligned with several global and regional health policies, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive healthcare.According to government, the strategy represents a significant milestone in the country's ongoing efforts to address one of the most prevalent and impactful genetic disease in the country.
Sickle cell disease remains a major genetic public health issue in Ghana with over eighteen thousand (18000) newborns diagnosed with the condition annually.
The figure represents close to 2% of all newborns.At the launch of the document, the Minister of Health, Dr.
Bernard Okoe Boye in a statement read on his behalf highlighted the worrying trend of the disease burden in the country, hence the need for the strategy which reflects governments commitment to advance care in the country."One in every four Ghanaian carried the sickle cell gene representing about 25% of the population and the figures keeps increasing, which means a significant proportion of the productive population likely to pass the gene on into their hospital in the future."Children under five, adolescent and pregnant women are particularly perceptible to sickle cell disease related complications, contributing to higher mobility and mortality rates in these groups.