Free Sickle Cell Screening Camp Reaches 400 Children in Kumasi

On 20 January 2026, JKAID Hope Foundation conducted its largest single-day health screening camp to date at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) outpatient center in Kumasi. Over the course of 8 hours, volunteer medical teams screened 400 children aged between 6 months and 12 years for sickle cell disease, with 38 children identified as requiring immediate specialist referral.

The screening camp was staffed by 15 volunteer doctors and nurses from KATH, supported by 25 JKAID-trained community health volunteers who managed registration, crowd flow, and parent counseling throughout the day. Each child received a free hemoglobin electrophoresis test, with results available within two hours.

"Early detection of sickle cell disease dramatically changes outcomes for children," explained the lead hematologist who oversaw the screening. "Many of the children we identified today had no prior diagnosis. Without screening, these children would likely present for the first time during a painful crisis — sometimes too late for effective intervention."

Of the 38 children flagged for follow-up, 12 were confirmed to have sickle cell disease (HbSS), while 26 were identified as carriers (HbAS). All 12 children with sickle cell disease have been enrolled in KATH's pediatric hematology clinic, with JKAID covering the cost of their initial treatment package including hydroxyurea medication, folic acid supplements, and a comprehensive care plan.

The parents of identified children also received intensive counseling sessions on disease management, nutrition, hydration, and recognizing the early signs of a sickle cell crisis. JKAID's Family Navigation team will maintain contact with all 38 families over the next 12 months to ensure continuity of care.

The Kumasi screening camp is part of JKAID's broader Community Screening Program, which aims to reach 5,000 children across Ghana's major cities by the end of 2026. Upcoming camps are planned for Tamale (March), Cape Coast (April), and Takoradi (June).

Community members who missed the screening can request a free test through JKAID's partnership with KATH by contacting the Foundation directly. The program is funded by individual donors and a grant from the Ghana Health Service.