A Senior Nursing Officer at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, Olivia Degboe, has urged Ghanaians to adopt effective home care practices for persons living with Sickle Cell Disease, stressing that proper management can significantly reduce complications and improve patients’ quality of life.
Speaking on Anopa Bosuo on ATV Ghana, Degboe highlighted the critical role caregivers play in managing the condition, particularly among children. She emphasised the need for regular hydration, balanced nutrition, and strict adherence to prescribed medications to help stabilise patients and minimise frequent health crises.
She further advised parents and guardians to remain alert to early warning signs such as severe pain, fever, or unusual weakness, noting that seeking immediate medical attention in such instances can prevent complications from escalating into life-threatening situations.
Degboe also pointed to environmental factors as major triggers of sickle cell crises, warning that infections, poor hygiene, and exposure to extreme weather conditions can worsen the condition. She therefore encouraged caregivers to maintain clean, safe, and stress-free environments to support the overall well-being of individuals living with the disease.
Her remarks form part of ongoing public education efforts aimed at increasing awareness and improving home-based care for sickle cell patients across Ghana.
