Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic blood disorder resulting from a change in the haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of the red blood cell (RBC). This change in the haemoglobin results in an abnormal shape of the RBC’s resulting in poor circulation of blood in the body tissue and reduced life span of the RBC’s and hence easy breakdown of the RBC’s.
The long terms effects of sickle cell disease which affects all vital organs of the body including the brain,eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, and bones has prompted groups including SMS Media to call for the establishment of sickle cell clinic in Obuasi to provide care for people especially children with SCD.
AGA Health Foundation realizing this need, started the Child and Adolescent Sickle Cell Disease clinic in October 2021 to address the problems of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease to afford such persons a normal or near normal life as well as manage the psychosocial impact on their families.
At the SCD clinic, children and adolescents with SCD are placed on a number of medications including Folate and Zincovit supplements, Penicillin V and Hydroxyurea. The acute and longterm problems of Sickle cell disease are also monitored and addressed at the clinic.
Hydroxyurea, a relatively new medication, has revolutionized the care given to SCD patients. Benefits derived from the use of hydroxyurea in the management of SCD includes; Prevention of pain crises, Improved blood levels preventing the need for frequent blood transfusions, prevention of acute chest syndrome and strokes, reduced need for hospitalization – hence parental resources can be channeled to other family needs, reduced distractions from school attendance as due to ill health and/or hospitalization and improved growth, wellbeing and life expectancy of children and adolescents with SCD.
Hydroxyurea is currently not covered at all levels of care by National Health Insurance Scheme. The entire cost of treatment is taken up by parents and families of children with sickle cell disease.
The cost of treatment most often exceeds what some parents or families can afford especially those with 2 or more children with the disease. This has led to defaults in clinic attendance mainly on financial grounds with most of the children reporting later with dire complications.
It is for this reason that AGAHF is appealing to individuals and groups to support to a ‘’Free Hydroxyurea Therapy ‘’ program for children and adolescents of its SCD clinic.
According to Dr. Addo -Sarkodie, a Paediatrician of AGAHF in an interview with SMS NEWS, the current unit cost of a capsule of Hydroxyurea is Gh₵4.55, whiles a 100mls bottle of suspension hydroxyurea costs Gh₵51.90.
He said depending on the weight of the child, a child aged 1-6 years, will need 200- 300mls (ie. 2-3 bottles) of hydroxyurea per month at a cost of GH₵103.80 – GH₵155.70. A child aged 7-10 years will need between 30-50 capsules a month costing GH₵136.50 – GH₵227.50. An adolescent aged 11- 21 years will need 50-70 capsules at a cost of between GH₵227.50 to GH₵318.50.
Dr. Sarkodie stressed that the cost of treatment with hydroxyurea brings a lot of financial burden to families with children with SCD especially where more than one child has the condition.
The AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation has however given out an account detail for interested persons or organizations who wants to support this cause.
ACCOUNT DETAILS
Name: AGA Health Foundation – Sickle Cell Fund
Bank: Standard Chartered Bank
Account No: 0100166106602
Branch: Obuasi