Stephen Essoun Foundation donates to Shai Osudoku District Hospital to mark World Sickle Cell Day

The Stephen Essoun Foundation has donated an amount of GH¢10,000 for a range of essential medical supplies to the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region in commemoration of this year’s World Sickle Cell Day.

The donation, made on Thursday, June 19, was to support the care of sickle cell patients at the facility. The gesture forms part of the Foundation’s broader agenda to improve healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable groups and underserved communities.

Speaking at the event, founder Stephen Yaw Essoun, a platinum donor of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emphasised the need for sustained public education and practical support for individuals living with sickle cell disease. “This is not just a ceremonial occasion. It is a call to action for all of us to raise awareness and provide assistance to those who endure the physical and emotional toll of this condition,” he said.

Sickle cell disease affects approximately 15,000 babies born in Ghana each year, according to estimates by the Ghana Health Service. The prevalence rate remains particularly high among certain ethnic groups, with as many as one in four Ghanaians carrying the sickle cell trait.

Hospital authorities received the items with appreciation, noting that such support is critical to delivering quality care. “We are grateful for the timely intervention by the Stephen Essoun Foundation. These supplies will go a long way in helping us maintain a clean and dignified environment for our patients,” a senior medical officer at the facility said.

Established in 2018, the Stephen Essoun Foundation has funded over 300 scholarship placements and a series of health-focused community initiatives across the Central, Eastern, and Greater Accra Regions. In 2023, the Foundation was recognised by the West Africa Healthcare Excellence Awards for its contributions to healthcare advocacy and philanthropy.

The recent donation aligns with the global campaign by the World Health Organization to reduce stigma, improve diagnostics, and expand access to treatment for sickle cell disease, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease burden remains among the highest globally.

Mr. Essoun further reaffirmed his commitment to building partnerships across the health and education sectors to address long standing inequalities in access and infrastructure.“We must not relent. Every life saved and every opportunity created is a step forward for the community,” he added.

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