NGO complain about increasing sickle cell cases among babies

African Sickle Cells Watch, a non-governmental organization has complained about the increasing number of sickle cell disease among babies in the country.

According to Mr Kofi Tenkrorang, President of African Sickle Cell Watch, Ghana was now recording 15,000 sickle cell diseases among babies.

Mr Tenkorang indicated that children, who are born with sickle cell die before attaining age five thereby making the increasing trend worrying.

He was speaking to the GNA on the sideline of the University of Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Seminar dubbed: “Before I say I do... think about Sickle Cell”.

The seminar aims at creating awareness on the disease among the young and unmarried ones.

Mr Tenkorang noted that although there had had been an increase in public education by institutions such as the media, churches and the Ministry of Health, there is also the need to beef up public education in order to reach out to more people especially in rural areas.

According to Mr Tenkorang it was proper for the young and unmarried to be armed with information on their genotype before getting married, adding that, this would go a long way to curb the disease.

He therefore appealed to Ghanaians to seek the needed information so that they could assist and support friends and loved ones who may have sickle cell.

He noted that people who have sickle cell but do not get the needed information and assistance undergo crises such as pain and stroke, among other ailments.

“We must get the young ones to know about sickle cell and also know their status to curb it and prevent families from medical bills.

He said his organization will be reaching out to people by engaging other stakeholders at the Accra Mall and other shopping centres in the metropolis.

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders.