Dr. Mary Ansong, co-founder of the International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC), has reported that over 18,000 babies are born each year in Ghana with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Stressing the need for collaborative efforts to reduce the impact of SCD, Dr. Ansong announced the launch of the "You Are Not Alone" campaign by ISCC, a non-profit organization based in Ghana.

The campaign aims to increase awareness about SCD, advocate for supportive policy implementation, and provide medical, educational, and economic aid to individuals affected by the condition. As part of this initiative, ISCC organized its inaugural sickle cell conference themed "The Current State of Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana: Progress Made, Challenges, and the Way Forward."

The conference included strategic dialogues with esteemed panelists from the World Health Organization, National Blood Service, National Health Insurance Authority, and ISCC.

Prof. Harold Amonoo-Kuofi, Chair of ISCC and Chairman of the Governing Council for the University of Cape Coast and Cape Coast Technical University, highlighted ISCC's commitment to transforming the sickle cell narrative in Ghana, sub-Saharan Africa, and globally.

Since its founding in March 2021, ISCC has educated over 8 million Ghanaians about SCD, provided free screenings for 6,000 individuals, enrolled 50 people in sickle cell clinics, and offered economic and educational support to sickle cell patients.

Ms. Jane Gyimah Amoako, Sales and Marketing Manager at Tang Palace, expressed the hotel’s honor in partnering with ISCC to launch this vital project, reflecting their values of community support and health. Dr. Christopher Mensah from Tobinco Pharmaceuticals also emphasized their dedication by donating pain medications and Neuromin-plus to support 100 sickle cell patients through ISCC.

The campaign also included a blood drive organized in partnership with the National Blood Service, Ghana Health Service, and several other organizations to support sickle cell patients.

Supporting partners of this initiative include Conceptz Ghana, SAT Foundation, BC Medicals, Creo Animation Studios, Multimedia Group, NOB Foundation, PK Mahtani Family, Ink Studios, The Residence Productions, Mega Freights Limited, Games on Wheels, MCB Rentals, DTP Studios, Sickle Life, Sickle Cell Awareness Initiative, Sickle Gene Action Foundation, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of Ghana, and GNS Foundation.

Campaign materials will be broadcast across all Multimedia Group channels, Class Media Group, 3FM, other media houses in Ghana, and on social media platforms. Pharm Martha Wiafe, Co-founder and COO of ISCC, urged individuals and Ghanaians to join the campaign and support the vulnerable, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and assistance for people living with SCD.

Source by www.ghanaweb.com