The federal government is committed to making sure that Sickle Cell Illness (SCD) not pose public well being risk, in order that these affected by the illness can stay wholesome and fulfilling lives.
The Minister of Well being, Dr Bernard Oko Boye, stated “the Nationwide Technique for Sickle Cell Illness represents a big milestone in our ongoing efforts to deal with SCD in Ghana.”
Dr Boye, whose speech was learn on his behalf by Dr Mavis Sakyi, the Performing Head of Well being Promotion, stated the ministry acknowledge that SCD was not only a medical situation, however a life-long expertise that affected thousands and thousands of individuals globally.He stated “we strongly maintain quick the assumption that empowerment begins with schooling. By enhancing consciousness about SCD. We equip individuals with the data they should make knowledgeable selections about their well being, their progeny and the selection of their partner.”
The minister made the decision on the first ever nationwide convention on the prevention of SCD, organised by SICCA to commemorate the World Sickle Cell Day, on the theme; ‘United for Well being: Empowering Data and Motion Towards Sickle Cell Illness,’ in Accra.
Adopted by the United Nations Basic Meeting on December 22, 2008, World Sickle Cell Day, is noticed yearly on June 19, to boost consciousness by educating the general public about SCD, its symptoms and the challenges confronted by sufferers.
The theme for this yr’s observation ‘Hope by means of Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally,’ underscored the significance of unity, collective voices, and heightened consciousness to cut back stigma and produce about significant change for the thousands and thousands affected by sickle cell illness.
He famous that Ghana confronted challenges within the prevention, analysis and administration of people residing with SCD.
These, the minister stated included, delay in screening new born infants, insufficient infrastructure and clinics for SCD, much less coordinated governance construction for SCD, absence of coaching manuals for capability constructing, restricted analysis in SCD and elevated value of look after SCD service supply.
The Chief Govt Officer (CEO) and Founding father of Sickle Situation Advocate (SICCA), Ms Charlotte Owusu, urged most of the people, particularly the youth, to go to well being services to test for SCD earlier than marriage.
This, she stated would assist them in selecting their future suitable companions, to forestall SCD of their offspring.
Ms Owusu stated that 75 per cent of the world’s inhabitants was negative for sickle phenotype and AA as their Genotype, including that simply 25 per cent of the world’s populations have been carriers of the illness.
She stated that 2 per cent of all kids have been born with SCD, which translated to 18,000 kids per yr globally.
Ms Owusu defined that SCD illness was a genetic blood disorder brought on by a mutation within the hemoglobin gene, resulting in the manufacturing of irregular hemoglobin S.