18,000 babies are born annually with sickle cell disease in Ghana – Dr Kwarley Asare

Ghana is grappling with a growing public health burden as nearly 18,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease (SCD) each year—representing 2% of all births—making it one of the leading inherited disorders in the country.

Speaking at this year’s World Sickle Cell Day celebration at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (GICG), Dr Eugenia Vicky Naa Kwarley Asare, a Senior Specialist Haematologist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, warned that the alarming statistics are a stark reminder of the urgent need for national action, investment in healthcare, and widespread public education.

“One in three Ghanaians carries either the HbS or HbC gene,” Dr Asare revealed. “These numbers are not just statistics — they represent lives, families, and futures that must be protected.”
Sickle cell disease is a chronic blood disorder caused by inherited mutations in haemoglobin genes.

In its most severe form—Sickle Cell Anaemia—patients suffer debilitating pain, organ damage, and a heightened risk of early mortality. Despite this, access to quality care remains uneven across the country.

Dr Asare’s call for greater support came as the GICG marked 50 years of providing specialist care, research, and education in sickle cell management. Established in 1974 by the late Prof. Felix Konotey-Ahulu, the institute has become the national referral centre for adolescents and adults living with SCD, with over 27,000 patients registered and more than 10,000 patient visits annually.

“The disease burden is enormous, yet the support systems remain fragile,” Dr Asare said. “Our goal is to ensure that no patient is left behind.”

The GICG’s role has expanded over the years to include specialised services such as hydroxyurea clinics, leg ulcer treatment, emergency care, and management of age-related complications, including renal failure. However, Dr Asare acknowledged that more robust decentralisation is needed to improve nationwide access to care.

Despite major strides in clinical research and partnerships with local and international institutions, sickle cell disease continues to be under-prioritised in public health policy. Experts believe many cases remain undiagnosed, particularly in rural areas.

Dr Asare and her colleagues are advocating for early screening, improved drug access, and community education to address the stigma and myths surrounding the disease. They also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen newborn screening programmes and provide sustained support for affected families.

“World Sickle Cell Day is more than a day of reflection—it’s a call to act boldly, to commit resources, and to bring hope to every child born with this condition,” Dr Asare urged. “The time to scale up is now.”

With sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 80% of global SCD births, Ghana’s experience underscores a continental challenge. Stakeholders are now calling on government, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate in building resilient systems that offer quality and equitable care to all Ghanaians living with sickle cell disease.

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