Commemoration of World Lupus Awareness Day: Include lupus disease treatment under NHIS — Dr Zanetor

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Korle Klottey in Accra, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for the inclusion of lupus treatment on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

She said the cost involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the chronic autoimmune disease was expensive, thus creating a major barrier to patients.

The MP was speaking at an event to mark World Lupus Awareness Day at Parliament House in Accra on the theme: “Make lupus visible.”

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, affecting organs, such as the skin, joints, kidneys and brain.

Common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and hair loss. Globally, over five million people live with the lupus disease.

Capacity-building

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who also serves on the National Health Insurance Authority Board, stressed the need to train more health workers to diagnose the disease early while calling for psychological, emotional and financial support for patients.

She further urged the medical community to pay greater attention to lupus despite the lack of nationwide data on its prevalence.

The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietror, also encouraged citizens to become advocates of lupus awareness in their respective homes and communities.

He called for improved treatment options, early detection and increased research funding.

Concerns

The Executive Director of the Oyemam Autoimmune Foundation, Emma Halm Danso, expressed concerns over the severe shortage of rheumatologists in the country. There are only three rheumatologists nationwide.

She attributed the disease’s under-recognition to frequent misdiagnoses and a lack of awareness, and entreated the Ghana Health Service to step up education and public health promotion efforts.

“People are suffering, families are losing loved ones, and out-of-pocket costs are unbearable. Even the basic medications covered by NHIS offer little relief,” she added. 

Situation

At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Mrs Danso said that about seven people were diagnosed with lupus every month.

However, she said that only those who could afford the expensive tests, some of which were sent to countries such as Germany, South Africa or India to get a definitive diagnosis, could be treated.

“People die because they delay diagnosis and don’t have money,” she said.

“Imagine waking up and not being able to open a water bottle, or driving 15 minutes and needing to park and sleep before continuing,” she said.

Mrs Danso cautioned that without access to affordable treatment, more lives would be lost to the disease.