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FoSCel hosts national forum on Sickle Cell at UEW: Calls for unity, awareness and policy action

The Focus on Sickle Cell Foundation (FoSCel) has held a national forum uniting stakeholders from across health, education, and civil society in a call to address Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Ghana.

Organised to mark World Sickle Cell Day, the event held at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), and themed “Know Your Genotype, Secure the Future”, brought together students, health professionals, traditional leaders, government representatives, and NGOs for a national dialogue on one of Ghana’s most pressing yet under-discussed health challenges.

Founder of FoSCel, journalist and advocate Amos Andoh (Akokoa Mpaninsem), shared his own experience of living with Sickle Cell Disease, saying “This is more than a project for me – it is a mission born of pain but driven by purpose.”

He stressed the urgent need for education, revealing that a significant portion of the Ghanaian population remains unaware of basic facts about the disease, including genotype compatibility and transmission.

In his keynote address, guest speaker Dr Anyemedu Asare Fredovich, an orthopaedic surgeon and former Acting Medical Director of the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba, described the global death toll from Sickle Cell as “a daily aviation disaster we are not talking about.”

Dr Fredovich revealed startling national statistics, noting that 2% of all babies born in Ghana each year — about 15,000 to 20,000 infants — have Sickle Cell Disease, while 15% to 30% of the population are genetic carriers.

He warned that a lack of public awareness around genotype compatibility continues to drive the crisis.

“We’re losing lives unnecessarily because people simply do not know their genotype or what it means for their future families,” he said, commending FoSCel for stepping into a leadership role and expressing hope that the foundation becomes the “linchpin” of a more coordinated, long-term national response.

The forum featured panel discussions on the psychological, social, and economic impact of Sickle Cell Disease, with contributions from the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Health, the university faculty, and traditional councils.

The sessions explored treatment barriers, stigma, and strategies to improve support systems for affected families.

Student voices were particularly prominent, with youth leaders pledging to intensify peer education campaigns, ensuring their networks embrace early genotype testing and informed reproductive choices.

“This generation can break the cycle, but we must be informed first,” one student leader remarked during an open forum session.

A symbolic candle-lighting ceremony was held in memory of lives lost to SCD, capping off a day of reflection, advocacy, and renewed commitment.

FoSCel announced it would expand its national outreach campaign, with upcoming forums scheduled at major universities including the University of Ghana, KNUST, UCC, and UDS.

Health Accounting Staff Association agitates over delayed negotiations

Members of the Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana (HASAG) are agitating to embark on an industrial action over their long-stalled negotiations of their conditions of service

According to the association, the negotiations have stalled for over eight months due to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission’s failure to respond to multiple requests from HASAG to resume negotiations that were first initiated in November 2023.

The leadership of the association is therefore demanding the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to engage HASAG on Monday June 23, 2025, to resume and conclude negotiations, without which the association would activate its options, including embarking on an industrial action

According to HASAG, the key sticking point remains the financial components of the agreement, which were postponed for later discussion during the Standing Negotiating Committee (SNC) meetings last year.

Per Article 13(i) and (ii) of the SNC Rules, such negotiations are mandated to conclude within two months of commencement, with a possible two-week extension if unresolved issues remain. However, HASAG asserts that this timeline has long been breached, despite numerous letters and formal appeals to the Commission.

In its recent letter to FWSC, dated June 18, 2025, HASAG expressed deep frustration with the FWSC’s apparent reluctance to set a firm date for final talks.

“This continued delay runs counter to the principles of good faith negotiations,” said the letter signed by HASAG’s National President, Emmanuel Dennis Kofi Amoah, warning that the unresolved issues are causing “strong agitations and unrest” among its members.

In making the demand for the urgent meeting on Monday, the letter indicted that failure by the FWSC to meet this deadline would leave the Association with no choice but to pursue “lawful steps” under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), potentially including industrial action.

The Association has also accused the FWSC of deliberate sabotage, claiming the delay is a calculated attempt to “frustrate and dismember” the union. HASAG noted with concern that some members have already defected to the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU), which began its negotiations later after that of HASAG, but has since concluded negotiations and enjoying the financial benefits.

The Association consequently reported the delay and the Commission’s unresponsiveness to the National Labour Commission last month after FWSC allegedly ignored several formal requests. In its latest communication, HASAG called on the Commission and relevant ministries, including Finance, Health, and Employment, to intervene urgently to avert disruption in the public health financial management sector.

Government urged to extend validation for payment of trainee nurses and midwives’ allowances

The Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UTNMG) has pleaded with the government through the Ministry of Health to extend the validation exercise for the payments of health trainee allowances.

The Union explains that the June 20, 2025 deadline for the exercise was too limited hence trainees would not be able to acquire and provide all the required documents and details.

The recent directive requires trainees to provide SSNIT numbers, bank account numbers and Ghana Card details within the timeframe.

“The Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UTNMG) humbly appeals to the government, through the Ministry of Health, to reconsider the validation exercise for trainee allowances”, stated a communique signed by National UTNMG President, Agbeti Immortal and UTNMG General Secretary, Alavi Robert.

The Union argued that the majority of the beneficiaries of the trainee allowances do not have the requested details, especially the SSNIT number and hence need more time to apply and acquire it to tender for the registration.

“The old system only required E-switch accounts. Many students lack the required documents such as Ghana Card, SSNT number and Bank account”, it stated.

The leadership of the trainee nurses and midwives also appealed to the government to include the 2024 batch of trainees in the verification exercise. They are currently owed 15 months’ allowance.

“This 2024 batch is currently undertaking their mandated national service on an empty stomach till the end of their 52 weeks of service to the nation. This condition of service is non-negotiable.”

“Because the amount owed them by the government is colossal, the short-notice exercise will have severe consequences on our members, particularly during this vacation period, exacerbating the financial hardships they are facing already”, lamented the Union.

The Union also “urges the government to reconsider the January 2026 declaration on trainee allowance payments, considering the rising cost of living (GH¢1,800.00 for two square meals daily).

“This precarious situation will only subject us to financial hemorrhage and nosebleeds with no respite.

“We believe that with empathy and understanding, the government can find a solution that supports our members. We look forward to a favourable response”, it said.

What to know about the COVID variant that may cause ‘razor blade’ sore throats

The COVID-19 variant that may be driving a recent rise in cases in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: “razor blade throat” COVID.

That’s because the variant — NB.1.8.1. or “Nimbus” — may cause painful sore throats. The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries. 

Other COVID-19 symptoms of any variant include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell.

Experts say there isn’t major cause for concern with the Nimbus variant, but here ‘s what else you need to know about it. 

Here’s where the variant causing ‘razor blade throat’ is spreading

The rise in cases late last month is primarily in eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions, the World Health Organization said May 28. The new variant had reached nearly 11% of sequenced samples reported globally in mid-May.

Airport screening in the United States detected the new variant in travelers arriving from those regions to destinations in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York.

You aren’t likely to get sicker from this variant than others

Not so far, anyway.

The WHO said some western Pacific countries have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there’s nothing so far to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe compared to other variants.

COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Nimbus variant

Yes.

The WHO has designated Nimbus as a “variant under monitoring” and considers the public health risk low at the global level. Current vaccines are expected to remain effective.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by public health experts.

Ghana AIDS Commission partners with YEA to sensitise youth on HIV/AIDS  

The Ghana AIDS Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) to enhance HIV/AIDS sensitisation among young people. 

The move is to curb the increased rate of HIV infections among young people and adolescents in the country. 

The Acting Executive Director of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said the Commission intended to use the platform of YEA to sensitise the youth through awareness creation. 

It would also engage them as ambassadors in the dissemination of preventive messages and sensitisation programmes in their communities. 

Dr Akanbong said out of 15,536 new infectious recorded in 2024 a greater proportion was in the youth bracket as compared to other segments of the population.

Though the number of cases had been reduced in 2024 as against 2023, the rate of cases among young people was still on the increase, she said. 

“So we felt we should come into collaboration with the YEA to use the platform to empower young people to enable them to make responsible decisions and choices,” she added.

The CEO of YEA, Malik Basintale, said they were delighted to collaborate with the AIDS Commission in its quest to reduce AIDs among the youth. 

He said that could be achieved through information flow and empowerment to make informed decisions and engage in responsible behaviours. 

“The agenda is to ensure that we are able to help the young man and young woman out there, first in securing a job, and second, in becoming ambassadors for the campaign against HIV,” he said. 

 “As young people, we must all practise responsible sexual behaviours. You must take care and remember that HIV is still alive. Not to stigmatise anyone, but it is better to prevent than to cure,” Mr Basintale added. 

Ghana receives shipment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines

The government has taken delivery of the first consignment of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines aimed at preventing cervical cancer.

The initial batch of 441,860 doses marks the start of a nationwide rollout designed to reduce the incidence of one of the most common and preventable cancers affecting women.

In a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday, 18 June, UNICEF Ghana the lead agency responsible for procuring and shipping the vaccines announced that over the coming weeks, it will deliver more than 2.5 million doses of the HPV vaccine to Ghana.

According to the statement, the delivery will support a five-day national immunisation campaign scheduled for September 2025. The campaign, to be led by the Ghana Health Service, aims to protect girls and women from cervical cancer—a preventable yet widespread disease.

Following the campaign, the vaccine will be offered free of charge as part of the routine immunisation programme for girls turning nine years old, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to public health.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by a viral infection of the female reproductive tract. Despite being among the most easily preventable cancers in women, efforts to control it are hindered by limited knowledge about the disease, poor access to preventive services such as vaccination, and the affordability of such services.

The statement described the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) as “a significant step in the right direction.”

It noted that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer and is already included in the national routine immunisation schedules of over 140 countries. Making the vaccine accessible to all girls ensures they are protected long before they are at risk, reducing the long-term health burden.

“Preventing cervical cancer allows girls to grow into healthy women, mothers, and leaders who can contribute meaningfully to society,” the statement added.

“This initiative marks a significant advancement in promoting public health in Ghana, ensuring that future generations of women are safeguarded against cervical cancer.”

About UNICEF

UNICEF is the world’s leading child rights organisation, working in over 190 countries and territories to reach every child, everywhere. It believes in the power of every child and is committed to protecting and promoting their rights, including the right to health and survival.

Alarming study finds greater suicide risk among screen-addicted teens

Teenagers who show signs of being addicted to social media, mobile phones or video games are at greater risk of suicidal behaviour and emotional problems, according to research.

A study, which tracked more than 4,000 adolescents for four years, found that nearly one in three reported increasingly addictive use of social media or mobile phones.

Those whose use followed an increasingly addictive trajectory had roughly double the risk of suicidal behaviour at the end of the study.

The findings do not prove that screen use was the cause of mental health problems. But they highlight that compulsive use, which appears to be very common, is a significant risk factor that parents and healthcare services should be alert to.

Dr Yunyu Xiao, an assistant professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine and first author of the study, said: “For parents and educators, the discussion around mobile phones and social media has focused on limiting or banning use, but our results indicate more complex factors are involved.
“Testing interventions that work against other types of addiction may be one way to approach this type of social media and mobile phone use.”

The findings come amid escalating mental health problems in young people and as governments are grappling with how to enforce safeguards around smartphones and social media.

Against this backdrop, scientists have faced a near-impossible challenge to try to pin down evidence of how rapidly evolving and highly personalised screen use might be linked to young people’s mental health.

The latest study tracked almost 4,300 adolescents aged nine to 10 when they started the study.

Rather than simply measuring screen time, the scientists assessed participants for “addictive use”, such as whether technology was interfering with activities like schoolwork and exercise and whether people experienced craving or feelings of distress when screens were withdrawn.

Machine learning was used to cluster participants into groups based on their screen use trajectories.

For mobile phones, about half of the children reported high addictive use from the start of the study that remained high through early adolescence, and a quarter developed increasing addictive use as they aged.

For social media, 41% of children had high or increasing addictive use.

For social media and mobile phones, the high and increasing addictive use trajectories were associated with a two to three times greater risk of suicidal behaviours and suicidal ideation compared with the low addictive use trajectory.

More than 40% of the youths had a high addictive use trajectory for video games.

These adolescents were significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviours, as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression or rule-breaking.

By contrast, the total amount of time spent on social media, mobile phones and video games was not associated with future suicide-related or mental health outcomes. What mattered most was whether their use showed signs of compulsion, distress or loss of control.

Xiao said: “There are many factors that would induce addictive feelings, such as the designs of the social media or video games, some kids may also experience bullying and a more adverse childhood that they find using phones more comfortable, but later they cannot stop using it.”

The findings, published in the journal JAMA, raise further questions over how parents should manage children’s screen use.

“We do not know if just taking away access will help, unless it is taking away access 24/7, because we know from studies of addiction management that partial access can quickly reinforce the addiction,” Xiao said.

Prof Amy Orben, who leads the Digital Mental Health Group at the University of Cambridge, said the study could not prove that technology use caused mental health problems.

An alternative explanation would be that poor self-control could be the root cause of problematic screen use and mental health outcomes.

“Yet the study importantly highlights that why and how young people use technologies and how they feel technologies affect their lives may matter more to their mental health than the time spent online,” she added.

“As those reporting such issues are not a small proportion of the population, supporting them should be taken seriously.”

U.S. government donates 10 liquid oxygen plants to GHS

The United States government, in collaboration with its implementing partner Jhpiego, has donated 10 modern liquid oxygen plants to the Ghana Health Service.

The initiative brings newfound hope to newborns, mothers, and patients suffering from respiratory complications, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation’s healthcare landscape.

The commissioning of these oxygen plants, the ceremony of which was held at the LEKMA Hospital at Teshie near Accra, addresses an urgent need for an improved medical oxygen ecosystem in Ghana, which previously faced serious challenges in providing adequate respiratory support.

The rest of the plants are to be established in selected health facilities across the regions.

With this critical support, healthcare providers can ensure that patients receive timely and necessary oxygen treatment, ultimately saving lives.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Rolf Olson, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, emphasised the ongoing commitment of the United States to enhance healthcare self-reliance in Ghana.

He reflected on previous support during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting collaboration across various sectors to strengthen the healthcare system and improve outcomes for patients.

Dr. Ebo Hammond, the Director of Health Administration and Support Services at the Ghana Health Service, shared insights on the impact of this strategic intervention, and noted that the placement of oxygen tanks and Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) plants has significantly reduced the distance that medical personnel need to travel for oxygen supplies—from an average of 1,750 kilometers to just over 750 kilometers.

This reduction not only streamlines operations but also enhances the availability of oxygen, which is crucial for patient care.

Dr. Hammond commended the U.S. government for its commitment to training healthcare personnel, emphasising that such initiatives are instrumental in building capacity within the Ghanaian healthcare system.

World’s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV could stop transmission – if people can get it

The U.S. has approved the world’s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV, the first step in an anticipated global rollout that could protect millions, although it’s unclear how many in the U.S. and abroad will get access to the powerful new option.

While a vaccine to prevent HIV still is needed, some experts say the shot made by Gilead Sciences — a drug called lenacapavir — could be the next best thing. It nearly eliminated new infections in two groundbreaking studies of people at high risk, better than daily preventive pills they can forget to take.

“This really has the possibility of ending HIV transmission,” said Greg Millett, public policy director at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Condoms help guard against HIV infection if used properly, but what’s called PrEP — regularly using preventive medicines such as the daily pills or a different shot given every two months — is increasingly important. Lenacapavir’s six-month protection makes it the longest-lasting type, an option that could attract people wary of more frequent doctor visits or stigma from daily pills.

But upheaval in U.S. healthcare — including cuts to public health agencies and Medicaid — and slashing of American foreign aid to fight HIV are clouding the prospects.

Millett said “gaping holes in the system” in the U.S. and globally “are going to make it difficult for us to make sure we not only get lenacapavir into people’s bodies but also make sure they come back” twice a year to keep up their protection.

Gilead’s drug is already sold to treat HIV under the brand name Sunlenca. The prevention dose will be sold under a different name, Yeztugo. It’s given as two injections under the skin of the abdomen, leaving a small “depot” of medication to slowly absorb into the body.

People must test negative for HIV before getting their twice-a-year dose, Gilead warned. It only prevents HIV transmission — it doesn’t block other sexually transmitted diseases. Some researchers who helped test the shot advise cold packs to counter injection-site pain.

Global efforts at ending the HIV pandemic by 2030 have stalled. There are still more than 30,000 new infections in the U.S. each year and about 1.3 million worldwide.

Only about 400,000 Americans already use some form of PrEP, a fraction of those estimated to benefit. A recent study found that states with high use of PrEP saw a decrease in HIV infections, while rates continued rising elsewhere.

About half of the new infections are in women, who often need protection they can use without a partner’s knowledge or consent. One rigorous study in South Africa and Uganda compared more than 5,300 sexually active young women and teen girls given twice-yearly lenacapavir or the daily pills. There were no HIV infections in those receiving the shot, while about 2% in the comparison group caught HIV from infected sex partners.

A second study found the twice-yearly shot nearly as effective in gay men and gender-nonconforming people in the U.S. and in several other countries hard-hit by HIV.

Ian Haddock of Houston had tried PrEP off and on since 2015, but he jumped at the chance to participate in the lenacapavir study and continues with the twice-yearly shots as part of the research follow-up.

“Now I forget that I’m on PrEP because I don’t have to carry around a pill bottle,” said Haddock, who leads the Normal Anomaly Initiative, a nonprofit serving Black LGBTQ+ communities.

“Men, women, gay, straight – it really just kind of expands the opportunity for prevention,” he added. Just remembering a clinic visit every six months “is a powerful tool versus constantly having to talk about, like, condoms, constantly making sure you’re taking your pill every day.”

Gilead said the U.S. list price, meaning before insurance, is $28,218 a year, which it called similar to some other PrEP options. The company said it anticipated insurance coverage but also has some financial assistance programs.

Most private insurers are supposed to cover PrEP options without a co-pay, although the Supreme Court is considering a case that could overturn that requirement. Congress is also considering huge cuts to Medicaid.

And while community health centres still are an option, the Trump administration has largely dismantled HIV prevention work at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention that would normally get the message to vulnerable populations who’d qualify for the shot, said Carl Schmid of the nonprofit HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute.

Schmid worries the shot won’t meet its potential because “we’re basically pulling the rug out of HIV prevention and testing and outreach programs.”

Gilead also has applications pending for the twice-yearly shot in other countries. Last fall, the company signed agreements with six generic drug makers to produce low-cost versions of the shot for 120 poor countries, mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

Gilead plans to make enough shots to supply 2 million people in those countries, at no profit, until the generics are available, said company senior vice president Dr. Jared Baeten.

Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, said in a statement that the price is still too high. If it’s unaffordable, she said, “it will change nothing.”

And HIV experts worry the arrangements Gilead has made to reduce costs in some countries leave out middle-income countries like some in Latin America.

“Everyone in every country who’s at risk of HIV needs access to PrEP,” said Dr. Gordon Crofoot of Houston, who helped lead the study in men. “We need to get easier access to PrEP that’s highly effective, like this is.”