Health experts have warned that many children born with sickle cell disease in Ghana could die before their fifth birthday without early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Dr. Enam Sefakor Bankas, co-founder of Heale, said about 15,000 babies are born with the condition in Ghana every year. This represents around two per cent of annual births.
Speaking during activities to mark World Sickle Cell Day, she said children who are not diagnosed early and placed under proper care face a very high risk of death.
“If they are not diagnosed early, we risk losing 80 to 90 per cent of them before age five,” she warned.
Dr. Bankas described the figures as worrying. She said many discussions about sickle cell disease focus only on physical symptoms.
“Most people focus on the physical aspects, the pain and the admissions, but there is a huge emotional and psychological toll,” she said.
According to her, many patients and caregivers struggle with stigma, anxiety and social isolation. These challenges can affect their quality of life.
She stressed that mental health support should form part of routine care for people living with sickle cell disease.
“Mental health, wellness and self-care are not luxuries. They are essential components of living well with sickle cell disease,” she stated.
Dr. Bankas also called for a coordinated national programme to improve access to treatment across the country.
She said patients should be able to receive quality care regardless of where they live.
“We need comprehensive care. We need to make sure that wherever you are in Ghana, patients can access the quality care they need,” she said.
This year’s World Sickle Cell Day activities organised by Heale were held under the theme, “Think Heale: Mental Health, Wellness and Self-Care in Sickle Cell Disease.”
Advocates used the occasion to call for stronger policies that address both the physical and mental health needs of patients.
They believe meaningful progress in managing sickle cell disease will require a holistic approach that supports the overall well-being of patients and their families.
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