The Ministry of Health has unveiled the National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease 2024-2028, alongside the National Vaccine Policy, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s commitment to tackling the high burden of sickle cell disease and bolstering vaccine self-sufficiency.
Dr. Darius Kofi Osei, Technical Advisor to the Health Minister, delivered the speech on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, at the Ministry of Health in Ridge, Accra.
Dr. Osei emphasized that the strategy aims to address the socio-economic impacts of sickle cell disease, which affects an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 newborns annually, representing 2% of all live births in Ghana.
With approximately 25% of the population carrying the sickle cell trait, he noted the significant risk this poses for future generations and the importance of intervention.
"The high prevalence of sickle cell disease creates a substantial burden on our healthcare system and affects the lives of thousands of families," Dr. Osei stated.
"This disease disrupts the lives of children, adolescents, and pregnant women the most, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates in these vulnerable groups."
The strategy will focus on enhancing preventive and therapeutic services for sickle cell disease, with an emphasis on community education to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Dr. Osei highlighted that Ghana is the first African country to include hydroxyurea, folic acid, and penicillin as part of the National Health Insurance Scheme’s covered services for sickle cell patients.
The program also offers pneumococcal vaccines for children under five through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), a vital measure for young patients vulnerable to infections.
Dr. Osei also introduced the National Vaccine Policy, a critical initiative designed to foster vaccine self-reliance in Ghana and position the country as a manufacturing hub within the region.
Led by Prof. William K. Ampofo, the National Vaccine Institute spearheads this effort, aiming to address emerging health challenges and secure a consistent vaccine supply for both routine immunization and new public health threats.
While applauding the establishment of these policies, Dr. Osei stressed that successful implementation is crucial.
"It is not enough to create policies without effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation," he said.
"These policies reflect our government's commitment to improving the quality of life for those affected by sickle cell disease and preventable illnesses, and we must all work together to see them through."
Dr. Osei urged collaboration among the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, teaching hospitals, and other healthcare entities to align their initiatives with national priorities and avoid duplicating efforts.
The Ministry of Health extended its gratitude to stakeholders who contributed to the development of these policies, including Pfizer, GIZ, WHO, and GTZ, which provided both technical and financial support.
Dr. Osei concluded by calling for collective dedication to the vision set forth in the new documents, expressing confidence that, with sustained partnerships, Ghana would make significant strides in combating sickle cell disease and strengthening its immunization landscape.
The National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease 2024-2028 and the National Vaccine Policy were officially launched and are expected to play transformative roles in Ghana’s healthcare landscape in the coming years.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam; Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Director for External Health Cooperation at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the significance of these initiatives.
He noted that sickle cell disease, Ghana's most prevalent genetic condition, affects around 18,000 of the 896,000 babies born each year, with one in four Ghanaians carrying the gene.
Meanwhile, children under five are especially vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and yellow fever.
"The launch of these documents marks a significant step in reducing the health burden associated with genetic and vaccine-preventable diseases," Dr. Taher said.
He thanked partners, including Pfizer, GIZ, WHO, and GTZ, for supporting these efforts, noting that the Vaccine Policy's goal is to enable Ghana to produce its own vaccines by 2030.
The Ministry underscored the need for strong partnerships among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocates to ensure effective implementation of these strategies.
Dr. Taher expressed confidence that the collaborative approach will make a lasting impact on Ghana's healthcare system and the lives of vulnerable populations.
On her part, Dr. Angela Ackon, Technical Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the policy’s role in strengthening Ghana’s health security.
She emphasized that the policy aligns with the global Immunization Agenda 2030, which aims for equitable vaccine access worldwide.
"This policy represents Ghana's dedication to science, equity, and accessibility in health," Dr. Ackon stated.
With support from WHO, the policy sets a vision of domestic vaccine production by 2030, aiming to protect people from preventable diseases like diphtheria, measles, and influenza.
The establishment of a National Vaccine Institute is a critical step in realizing this goal, ensuring safe, effective vaccines are accessible to all.
Dr. Ackon congratulated Ghana's government for its commitment to public health, reiterating WHO's continued support in the effort to expand immunization coverage.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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