Ghana launches national guidelines to strengthen Sickle Cell care

The Ministry of Health has launched the National Sickle Cell Disease Screening and Case Management Guidelines, a major move to improve prevention, early detection, and treatment of sickle cell disease across Ghana.

Developed through broad public consultations and stakeholder collaboration, the guidelines establish a coordinated national framework to reduce the disease burden through comprehensive healthcare services, public education, research, and prevention.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister for Health Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah described the initiative as a milestone in Ghana’s response to non-communicable diseases.

She noted that sickle cell disease affects about two percent of all newborns,around 18,000 children each year,and that many cases are diagnosed late, often after painful crises that lead to preventable complications and deaths.

She explained that the guidelines, developed under the Non-Communicable Disease Policy and Strategy (2022) and the Sickle Cell Disease Strategy (2024–2028), provide a standardised, evidence-based framework for screening, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and long-term follow-up at all levels of care.

Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah commended the experts and partners involved and urged health professionals, policymakers, civil society organisations, and development partners to collaborate to ensure effective implementation and improved outcomes for people living with sickle cell disease in Ghana.