By Christabel DANSO ABEAM
Rotary Club Accra-Airport has commenced a comprehensive expansion and renovation project at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (Sickle Cell Clinic) at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), as part of activities marking its 25th anniversary.
The support seeks to enhance advanced healthcare delivery for sickle cell patients.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with the directors and healthcare providers of the department, will see to the building of five new ultra-modern consultation rooms, a fully-equipped administrative block and two well-constructed washroom facilities as well as the renovation of the old hospital block in the scope of three months to help streamline patient care.
Speaking at the project’s unveiling event in Accra, President of the club, Alice Otoo-Ocran, highlighted the high rate of sickle cell condition and urgent need to invest in facilities that directly affect the quality of life of individuals battling chronic diseases.
“Sickle cell disease is one of the most commonly inherited blood disorders in the world. Over 7.7 million people are living with it globally. In Ghana, more than 15,000 children are born with the condition each year. For many of them, accessing specialised care is a challenge – and this project responds directly to that need.”
She stressed that the construction of these facilities helps the club to expand their capacity to provide timely, dignified and effective care to people living with sickle cell; while noting that the new projects will enable better counselling, screening and patient education.
The Director – Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (Sickle Cell) – KBTH, Amma Beneth-Akwesi Kuma,
in an appreciation speech, acknowledged Rotary Club Accra-Airport for their commitment to supporting quality healthcare delivery in the country and their timely intervention.
“This department receives about 10,000 to 14,000 visits from patients annually; and they have to deal with congestion due to the lack of enough space and facilities. Therefore, this intervention is very important and timely,” she noted.
Ms. Kuma further encouraged the club for more support after the project and also called on other corporate institutions to do the same.
