Dr. Mary Ansong, co-founder of the International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC), has called for collaboration among healthcare providers, government agencies, and civil society to address the ongoing burden of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Ghana.
She made the call during the second annual Strategic Dialogue on Sickle Cell Disease, held in Accra to mark World Sickle Cell Day 2025.
The dialogue, which brought together health experts, patient advocates, government officials, and civil society leaders, was held on the theme “Progress Made, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”Buy vitamins and supplements
It focused on evaluating the country’s progress in managing SCD, identifying persistent challenges, and forging stronger partnerships to improve outcomes.
Dr. Ansong said while awareness of the disease had increased, too many patients, especially children, still lacked access to essential care.
She highlighted new-born screening, access to medications such as hydroxyurea, and the affordability of care as major issues that demand urgent attention. “Yesterday, we marked World Sickle Cell Day. Everyone with a heart for sickle cell disease came together to shine a light on the challenges and support those who continue to live with this condition,” she said. “
She commended the Ministry of Health for unveiling its National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease, which outlined plans to expand new-born screenings and made treatment more accessible.Buy vitamins and supplements
Officials from the Ghana Health Service and other medical professionals reiterated their commitment to ensuring that medications were readily available under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
However, she emphasized that the efforts must be matched by unified action across sectors.
“Collaboration is the game changer, whether you’re a pharmacist, a doctor, a non-profit leader, or a policymaker, when we align our efforts, we can solve as much as 80 per cent of Ghana’s sickle cell burden,” she stressed.
“We need to map out all the organizations working on Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana and harness their strengths, this is not a fight for one month or one ministry alone. No single entity can solve this alone. We must all put our hands on deck,” she added.
Dr. Ansong offered encouragement saying, “we see you. We know the pain you’re going through. You are not alone. You can live well with Sickle Cell Disease, just follow your treatment plan, stay hydrated, take your medications, and get enrolled in a clinic if you haven’t already.”
The conference featured real-life testimonials from patients and caregivers, a regional spotlight on best practices from across Africa, and a high-level policy panel with Ghanaian stakeholders.
A key recommendation was the establishment of a more inclusive governance structure to coordinate national responses to SCD and ensure that interventions are both sustainable and far-reaching.
The ISCC hopes that through continued dialogue and decisive action, Ghana can become a regional leader in tackling Sickle Cell Disease, improving survival rates, enhancing quality of life, and offering a model for other African countries to follow.
GNA
