Dr Agyemang-Rawlings commits to getting Lupus treatment captured under NHIS

Dr. Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings is the MP for Korle Klottey. She is committed to advocating for lupus to be included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

She highlighted the high costs of diagnosis and treatment for lupus. This chronic autoimmune disease needs better coverage under the NHIS.

Lupus causes inflammation when the immune system attacks its own tissues. It can affect skin, joints, kidneys, and brain. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, rashes, fever, fatigue, hair loss, and sunlight sensitivity.

Globally, at least five million people have lupus. Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings spoke during World Lupus Awareness Day at Parliament House in Accra on Friday. The theme was “Make Lupus Visible.”

As a Board Member of the National Health Insurance Authority, she noted that autoimmune diseases are becoming more common. Many lives are affected by these diseases daily.

She emphasized the need for doctors to prioritize lupus care. Although many suffer from it, there are no accurate figures available.

The MP stated that making lupus visible requires more than advocacy alone. We need trained health workers for early diagnosis and treatment support.

Mrs. Emma Halm Danso leads the Oyemam Autoimmune Foundation. She called for urgent action to improve diagnosis and education about lupus.

She expressed concern over Ghana's limited number of rheumatologists—only three exist nationwide—making early detection difficult.

“Lupus is more common in Ghana than we realize,” Mrs. Danso said. Misdiagnosis and lack of awareness contribute to this issue.

She urged the Ghana Health Service to prioritize lupus in health promotion efforts.

“Every day we receive calls from those suffering,” she added. Many families lose loved ones due to this disease.

Mrs. Danso advocated for including lupus medications in NHIS to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

The stress and neuropsychiatric effects of lupus on patients are immense; support is crucial to lessen their burden.

Mr. Ebenezer Djietror is the Clerk to Parliament; he encouraged citizens to become ambassadors for those affected by lupus.

“We must stand together as a nation,” he said, emphasizing early diagnosis and improved treatment options.

He praised the Foundation’s efforts in raising awareness about lupus.

World Lupus Day began in 2004 with events highlighting its importance globally; Ghana ratified this proclamation in 2017.

While there is no cure for lupus, medications and lifestyle changes can help manage it effectively.

Research shows approximately 84 new cases of systemic Lupus Erythematosus are diagnosed annually in Ghana based on statistics from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital's National Rheumatology Center.

Ghana joined others worldwide on May 10 to mark World Lupus Day.