By Eunice Hilda A. Mensah
Accra, July 7, GNA – The Simona Ephraim Foundation has launched the Simona Ephraim Mobile App to raise awareness and educate the public about sickle cell disease, connect patients to a wider support community, and provide practical assistance for people living with the condition.
Mr Larry Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, said the app was designed to feel “like a friend and not a clinic,” with every screen built to be warm, simple, and user-friendly.
He explained that the app offers lessons ranging from basic information about sickle cell disease to crisis care, available within minutes in both English and local languages. The content is presented without medical jargon, while the app also enables users to track their learning progress.
Mr Mensah said the initiative was targeted particularly at young people to help them make informed family planning and reproductive health decisions.
“We introduced the Simona Ephraim App to give a digital power solution to sickle cell. It helps in diagnosing but does not replace the diagnosis of a medical doctor,” he said.
He disclosed that the Foundation was working towards establishing a sickle cell centre to provide bone marrow transplants and cell therapy at no cost to patients.
Mr Mensah lamented that sickle cell disease had been sidelined for decades, receiving little government attention and giving rise to persistent misconceptions that the condition was spiritual.
“Even in 2026, people still think this is a spiritual thing and do not want to associate with sickle cell patients,” he said.
He revealed that his son, Sean Ephraim Menter, who lives with sickle cell disease, inspired the Foundation’s work and now serves as its ambassador.
“He is the one who drew attention and asked us to help others know about the disease,” Mr Mensah said.
Sharing his family’s experience, Mr Mensah recounted some of the painful crises his son had endured, including an episode of priapism at age 14 and other severe complications.
“I have had the encounter where my 14-year-old son had priapism, a condition that makes the penis erect longer than usual, and it was so painful,” he said.
He also recalled an incident when his son, then about eight years old, continued trying to switch off the source of a fire despite burning his hand.
“When I asked him why he would do that, he said, ‘Daddy, the pain I go through when I have a crisis is more than this. It’s more than me being burnt in the fire.’
“So he’s lived with this pain for 14 years, and the emotional trauma of hearing people say he would not live beyond the ages of 10, 13 or 14 is even more heartbreaking,” Mr Mensah added.
He urged the public to understand that sickle cell disease is a physical condition affecting red blood cells and not a spiritual affliction.
“Patients living with sickle cell are human beings and do not deserve the treatment many people give them. They need love, care, attention, and medical intervention from the state and other institutions,” he said.
As part of its interventions, the Foundation also planted 200 trees at the Tema General Hospital to improve air quality and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Mr Mensah said the exercise was necessary because human activities had degraded the environment, affecting air quality and oxygen levels.
“The hospital was the right place because that is where people go for treatment and medical help,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu