The Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (GICG) successfully climaxed its 50th anniversary celebration with a grand fundraising dinner in Accra and appealed for financial assistance to equip and staff vital sickle cell treatment units.

The Director of GICG, Dr. Ammah Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, revealed that despite five decades of dedicated service in combating genetic disorders, the institute's sickle cell unit is severely lacking in essential facilities and equipment, hindering its ability to provide comprehensive, uninterrupted care.

Critical Need for 24-Hour Service

The GICG serves as a crucial national centre for the management of genetic conditions, particularly Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which affects approximately 2% of children born in Ghana—equating to an estimated 15,000 babies born annually with the condition.

SCD is a major public health concern, and specialised care is essential for managing painful crises and complications.

However, the current financial and infrastructural limitations prevent the unit from operating at full capacity.

Dr Kuma articulated the urgent need for a massive injection of funds.

Although the ceremony was to mark a milestone, Dr Kuma says the sickle cell ward needs more funding to be able to provide a 24-hour service to their patients.

Healthcare Manpower Crisis Context

The GICG’s appeal for expanded services comes against the backdrop of significant challenges within Ghana's health sector, including a recurrent issue of unemployed and unposted nurses and midwives.

While the GICG is seeking to expand its operational hours to offer 24-hour care—which necessitates hiring more personnel—thousands of qualified healthcare graduates across the country remain jobless.

For instance, the Graduate Unemployed Nurses and Midwives Association (GUNMA) has repeatedly protested over delays in their employment and financial clearance, with some members facing unemployment for up to five years since graduation.

These unposted professionals represent a ready pool of skilled manpower that institutions like the GICG could potentially utilize to staff its proposed 24-hour service, provided the necessary infrastructure and funding—which must cover salaries—are secured.

The funding drive, climaxing the GICG's golden anniversary, aims to address the critical gap between the rising number of SCD patients needing specialised care and the facility’s current capacity.