Sickle cell treatment on NHIS: Health Minister reminded policy was launched by Bawumia in 2022

Health Minister Joseph Minta Akandoh has come under criticism on social media after claiming that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has “now” begun covering the treatment of sickle cell disease.

At the Africa CDC High-Level Side Event on Sickle Cell Disease, the Minister announced that NHIS had officially included the treatment. However, users quickly pointed out that the policy was first introduced in 2022 under the Akufo-Addo government, following its launch by then Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

On August 25, 2022, Dr. Bawumia, speaking at a symposium organised by the Ministry of Health, NHIA and Roche in Accra, confirmed that NHIS would cover childhood cancers and Hydroxyurea, a potent drug for treating sickle cell, effective July 1, 2022.

As far back as 2019, Dr. Bawumia had announced Ghana’s adoption of Hydroxyurea, making the country the first in Africa to introduce the globally acclaimed drug. Ghana later partnered with Novartis to expand diagnosis and treatment access, with NHIS coverage rolled out three years later.

The policy became a key part of the former government’s health interventions and was highlighted repeatedly during the 2024 election campaign.

Social media users wasted no time correcting the Minister.

“Sickle cell has always been on NHIS. These settings and propaganda should stop,” one user wrote on X.

“Are you not ashamed posting this? Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia implemented this policy in 2022. Stop stealing policies and rebranding them as your own,” another added, sharing a 2022 MyJoyOnline report on the launch.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.