By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Accra, June 24, GNA — The Reverend King Foli, the Resident Pastor of Royal House Holy Ghost Temple and a survivor of sickle cell disease, has appealed to the government to prioritise the management of sickle cell disease in future national budgets.
Rev Foli called for dedicated funding for the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics and other allied institutions providing care and support for persons living with the condition.
Speaking to the media after the Third Annual International Sickle Cell Conference held to mark International Sickle Cell Awareness Day in Accra, Rev Foli described sickle cell disease as a debilitating and life-threatening genetic disorder that continued to affect thousands of individuals and families.
He said despite advances in treatment, no permanent cure had yet been found for the disease, making continuous medical care and support essential for patients.
Having lived with and survived the condition, Rev Foli said sickle cell disease often subjected patients to severe pain crises and increased their vulnerability to life-threatening infections.
“Sickle cell disease is a reality and not a good place to be. You do not need to be a parent of a sickle cell patient to appreciate what it means to go through a crisis. The pain can be very severe and excruciating,” he said.
He noted that although healthcare professionals were doing their best to manage the disease, more investment was needed to improve treatment outcomes and support ongoing research.
He urged the government to allocate more resources to the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics and other organisations working to provide relief and quality healthcare services for sickle cell patients.
The pastor also called on faith-based organisations to intensify public education on sickle cell disease to help dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding the condition.
“Some people still believe sickle cell disease is a curse or an anomaly. We need to use our churches and other platforms to educate the public on the facts and encourage understanding and support for patients,” he said.
Rev Foli further appealed to philanthropists, corporate organisations and benevolent individuals to support sickle cell units across the country through donations and other forms of assistance.
He encouraged members of the public to join advocacy efforts aimed at improving the lives of persons living with sickle cell disease.
As part of his contribution towards healthcare awareness, he said he had organised free health screening for members of his church and community during his birth month of June.
He expressed optimism that with increased investment in research and healthcare delivery, a permanent cure for sickle cell disease could eventually be found.
International Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed annually on June 19 to raise awareness about the disease, promote early diagnosis, improve access to treatment and mobilise support for affected individuals and families.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo