The government has been urged to absorb the cost of sickle cell testing into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This is to get more Ghanaians tested for sickle cell disease status and efficiently plan their lifestyle.

 

According to experts, the cost of sickle cell screening is at least ¢30 depending on the facility one attends. To the less fortunate, this is expensive.

 

A medical practitioner at Sermens Clinic, Dr Cosmos Bimpong, believes Universal Health Coverage can be only attained when every aspect of human health is given equal attention.

The Government of Ghana is working to ensure that the Universal Health Care (UHC) package is accessible nationwide by 2030, in order to improve the quality of care.

But Dr. Bimpong wants the government to either absorb the cost of SCD tests into the NHIS or subsidize the cost of screening. According to him, this would improve access to drugs and prolong the lives of patients.

Dr. Bimpong was speaking at Mankranso SHS when the Anaq Foundation for Sickle Cell and Nutrition in partnership with the Ghana Non-communicable Disease Alliance (GhNCDA) organized Sickle Cell Education for students.

 

The event was on the theme: The Universal Health Coverage Agenda: The Role of Youth”. Dr Bimpong also entreated patients with sickle cell disease avoid unhealthy eating habits to avoid aggravating their condition.

The UHC Package would meet the health needs and aspirations of every Ghanaian, regardless of age, gender, and social status.

It would also recognize the different health needs of all people at different stages, and provide access to curative and preventive services that take care of common diseases.

 

The Anaq Foundation for Sickle Cell and Nutrition founder also suggested that the government considers screening students prior to entering high school.

Mrs Ama Nyarko Attafua Quinoo believes that it would greatly contribute to the development of the country.