Ghana strengthens sickle cell care with national screening and management guidelines

Ghana strengthens sickle cell care with national screening and management guidelines

The Ministry of Health has launched the National Sickle Cell Disease Screening and Case Management Guidelines, marking a major step towards strengthening the prevention, early detection, and management of sickle cell disease in Ghana.

Developed through broad public consultations and stakeholder collaboration, the Guidelines provide a coordinated national framework for the effective implementation of interventions, with a mission to reduce the burden of sickle cell disease through comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services, public education, research, and prevention.

Officially launching the Guidelines, the Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, described the initiative as a milestone in Ghana’s response to non-communicable diseases.

She noted that sickle cell disease affects about two percent of all newborns, approximately 18,000 children each year, with many cases diagnosed late, often after painful crises, resulting in preventable complications and deaths.

The Deputy Minister explained that the Guidelines, developed under the Non-Communicable Disease Policy and Strategy (2022) and the Sickle Cell Disease Strategy (2024–2028), provide a standardized, evidence-based framework for screening, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and long-term follow-up across all levels of care.

She commended the experts and partners involved in the process and called on health professionals, policymakers, civil society organisations, and development partners to work collaboratively to ensure effective implementation and improved health outcomes for people living with sickle cell disease in Ghana.