WORK BEGINS ON SICKLE CELL CLINIC AT KATH (BACK PAGE NOV 26, 2010)

THE sod was cut yesterday for work to begin on the construction of a clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for the treatment of sickle cell patients.
When completed, the three-storey edifice, which is expected to cost GH¢13.6 million, will serve as a centre for the management of sickle cell patients in the West African sub-region.
The project, dubbed ‘Kumasi Blood and Sickle Cell Centre’, will comprise a blood transfusion unit, an out-patient sickle cell clinic and a centre for research.
The Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, who performed the sod-cutting ceremony in Kumasi, also launched the national new-born screening programme for sickle cell and other diseases.
He also inaugurated a 12-member New-born Screening Committee to draft new-born screening policy for the Ministry of Health.
The members of the committee are Dr Sylvester Anemana, Professor Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, Dr (Mrs) Jemima Dennis Antwi, Mrs Mary Lamptey, Mr Edward J.N. Tettey and Dr Alexander Osei Akoto.
The rest are Mr Benedict Sackey, Dr Jennifer Welbeck, Dr Solomon Ofori-Acquah, Dr William Bosu, Professor Francis Nkrumah and Mrs Mabel Kissiwa Safe.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Kunbuor charged the committee to start work immediately and submit drafts of the national new-born screening policy and the technical plan and budget for the implementation of the national screening programme by March 1, 2011”.
He said the goals of the national new-born screening programme were to offer every baby born in Ghana screening test for sickle cell diseases.
He said by screening new-borns for sickle cell disease, it would be possible “to diagnose the disease early before symptoms and complications develop”.
He commended President John Evan Atta Mills for making the project a top priority by lobbying the former Brazilian President, Mr Lula da Silva, to take personal interest and support in the construction of the project.
He also commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his continued support, giving the assurance that the project would be completed on schedule to enable sickle cell patients to receive quality health care.
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, said the project would provide greater impetus to enhance quality of life of sufferers, “through the provision of facilities for optimum provision of quality service centre for patients.
He commended the Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana for facilitating the construction of the project.