About 18,000 Babies Born Annually With Sickle Cell Disease In Ghana

At least two per cent sickle cell disease (SCD) prevalence in Ghana and other African countries is carried genetically with about 18,000 babies born each year with the disease in Ghana, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It is estimated that 10 to 40 per cent of the African population including Ghana is mostly carriers of the disease.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that affects haemoglobin, which is found inside the red blood cell.

Dr. Sally-Ann Ohene, who represented the WHO at a media launch to herald this year's World Sickle Cell Day in Accra Tuesday, said 'this obviously has major public health and socio-economic implications.' The theme for this year's celebration is dubbed: 'Know Your Sickle Cell Status'.

And for this reason, she disclosed the WHO aims to address the widespread of the SCD by:

Developing and implementing a clearly designed national sickle cell disease control programme within the context of a national health strategic plan

Adopt the concept of comprehensive health care management which includes laboratory management at all levels of the health system, early detection and screening of newborn babies as well as training of health professionals

Genetic counseling and testing for people to be aware of their sickle cell status

Increase public awareness in schools, communities, health institutions, the media and associations and

The establishment of patient support groups and advocacy to reduce stigmatization.

The disease has been described as a threat to human lives. The United Nations General Assembly decided to 'adopt the resolution for the recognition of sickle cell disease (SCD) as a public health problem points highlighting the importance of this condition and the need to increase public awareness about it.'

Reducing sickle cell disease
Meanwhile, the theme, according to Dr. Tsease Kyemenu Caiquo, vice chair of the Sickle Cell Condition Advocates (SICCA), was chosen because 'as a country, we do not have enough resources to care for people with sickle cell condition, therefore, the need to prevent its occurrence.'

He enumerated Haemoglobin SS, Haemoglobin SC and Sickle Bo and B+ thalassaemia as the common forms in Ghana.

However, he indicated that very few families in the country were not affected by this condition.

SICCA's first assignment by the Ministry of Health was carried out in the three northern regions of Ghana within three months in 2011.

Dr. Caiquo noted that after every programme run in each of the regions, a clinic was set up in the regional hospital with a counseling unit attached to it.

Asked why people should be so much bothered about the sickle cell disease, Head of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Dr. Ivy Ekem, told Globalnewsreel.com it was important because 'it is good to know what your status is and what one is likely to go through in order to be relatively healthy.'

Preventing sickle cell disease
Dr. Ekem advised that the only way to prevent such condition was to prevent a male and a female with abnormal haemoglobin from getting married.

She added that infections could also precipitate the crisis so patients have been advised to visit the hospitals on time to receive medical attention on infections, drink a lot of water and eat well balanced diets.

Symptoms
A patient develops severe pains in the bone when there is change in weather conditions and so, carriers are advised to dress appropriately in order not to be exposed to such situation.

Dr. Ivy Ekem, Head of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics being interviewed by journalists