The Fred N. Binka School of Public Health and the School of Medicine at UHAS launched this year’s Volta Region Sickle Cell Disease Awareness and Education Campaign in Hohoe on August 8, with the goal of sensitizing society to the disease. The theme of the campaign is: "Formalising New-born Screening and Hydroxyurea, Knowing your Status". The week-long programme aims, amongst other things, to screen 5000 children in the Hohoe Municipality.
Earlier in the day, there was a health walk through the principal streets of Hohoe to raise awareness on the disease. Speaking at the launch, UHAS Vice Chancellor Professor Lydia Aziato noted that in Ghana, two out of 100 new babies are born with sickle cell disease while 30 out of 100 new babies are born with traits of the disease, a situation that adversely affects the lives of carriers and their families. She noted that there are some carriers who ignorantly marry among themselves and pass down the disease to their children, causing them severe pain and trauma. She therefore called for a comprehensive approach in the campaign to help reduce the statistics: “Early diagnosis is critical for an effective, comprehensive approach. Future parents should know their sickle cell status as early as possible, and all new babies should be screened for the condition.”
The VC also called for an end to the stigmatization of sickle cell disease carriers, as it is no fault of theirs to be carriers: “We must work to overcome our misunderstanding of SCD, treat individuals with empathy and fairness, and create a compassionate community that uplifts every individual, regardless of their health condition.” She also encouraged academia in the field to conduct more research on the disease, and to curate targeted interventions aimed at increasing the knowledge-base and drastically reducing this menace.
Togbega Gabusu VII, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, said that due to limited education on the disease, many people have formed their own negative perception about it, leading to stigmatization. He appealed to leaders of the campaign to use simple language to communicate to members of society, especially those considering marriage, about the disease. He also suggested the opening of a sickle cell centre at the Volta Regional Hospital to help raise awareness, screen, diagnose and treat the disease. “Traditional rulers in my area are ready to support this campaign,” he added.
The Paramount Chief further appealed to citizens to avail themselves for screening, and called on traditional leaders to serve as catalysts by educating their people about the disease during meetings and durbars.
Speaking on behalf of the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. Geoffrey Kodzo Badasu, Municipal Chief Executive for Kpando, lauded UHAS and the traditional leaders for championing the cause of the campaign. He also called for a stakeholder approach on managing the disease. He noted that government is working with stakeholders to make accessible the hydroxyurea medication to treat sickle cell disease.