Ghana adds sickle cell treatment to NHIS - Health minister

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that treatment for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) has officially been included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a move he described as a bold demonstration of health equity.

Speaking at the Africa CDC High-Level Side Event on Sickle Cell Disease on September 25, 2025, the minister said the policy ensures that every Ghanaian living with SCD regardless of income or location can now access lifesaving medication.

“This demonstrates equity in action: ensuring that the poorest mother in the most remote part of our country can access the same lifesaving medication as the wealthiest in our cities,” Akandoh stated.

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The minister stressed that integrating SCD treatment into NHIS is a critical step toward addressing long-standing inequalities in healthcare access.

He noted that families across Ghana, especially in rural communities, have struggled for years with the financial burden of managing the condition.

Akandoh further explained that the inclusion of SCD treatment is part of Ghana’s broader agenda to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Also, watch some videos from the NPP’s protest below: