Ghana Health Service, Partners Mark World Sickle Cell Day with Education and Support

By Mavis Emefa Goka / June 19, 2025

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in partnership with the Police Hospital and the Salted Health Foundation, today joined the global community to commemorate World Sickle Cell Disease Day with a renewed call for awareness, early intervention, and support for affected individuals and families.

The event, held in Accra, featured health education, free screenings, and the distribution of care packages to caregivers of children living with sickle cell disease.

Representing the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs. Bridget Anim, Deputy Director at the Health Promotion Division, commended the resilience of persons living with the condition.

“Today, we honour the courage and strength of individuals living with sickle cell disease,” she said. “Their daily battles are a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to ensure early diagnosis, better management, and an end to stigmatization.”

Mrs. Anim emphasized the GHS’s ongoing commitment to addressing the burden of the disease through strategic public health interventions.

“Our focus is on increasing public education, promoting newborn screening, and supporting early intervention programs. These are crucial steps toward reducing complications and preventing the transmission of the disease to future generations,” she noted.

Board member of the Salted Health Foundation, Prof. Regina Appiah-Oppong, reaffirmed the NGO’s mission to support children with the condition, especially in underserved communities.

“We may be a small foundation, but our impact is mighty,” she said. “We are committed to walking alongside families and children affected by sickle cell disease, ensuring they receive the care and attention they need.”

She called on stakeholders, including the private sector, to join efforts in advocating for better access to care and treatment for patients.
The event also included free health screening services for both adults and children, with health workers providing education on disease management and prevention strategies.

World Sickle Cell Day is observed each year on June 19 with this years theme as “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy”. The day aims   to raise global awareness about sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that affects millions worldwide. The day serves as a platform to promote early diagnosis, support research, and improve health outcomes for those living with the condition.