A mother holds her newborn while a blood sample for sickle cell testing is taken

A mother holds her newborn while a blood sample is taken for sickle cell testing at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. This is ground zero for Dr. Frempong's screening project.

Dr. Frempong's staff, like Isaac, catalog the blood samples before they are sent to a lab in Accra for analysis.

Isaac, one of Dr. Frempong's staff members, catalogs the blood samples before hey are sent to the lab in Accra.

The blood samples, once collected, are separated using electricity. Sickle cell blood can be distinguished because it separates differently.

The blood samples, once collected, are separated using electricity. Sickle cell blood can be distinguished because it separates differently.

When positive sickle cell tests happen, Nurse Hannah has to go on foot to find the baby's parents. This is a difficult task because many houses lack phones and addresses in Ghana.

When positive sickle cell tests happen, Nurse Hannah has to go on foot to find the baby's parents. This is a difficult task because many houses lack phones and addresses in Ghana.

Parents of children with sickle cell are encouraged to come to Dr. Frempong's clinic. Here, Solomon educates mothers about the disease while they wait to see the clinic doctors.
Parents of children with sickle cell are encouraged to come to Dr. Frempong’s clinic. Here, Solomon educates mothers about the disease while they wait to see the clinic doctors.
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital lacks many of the resources of an American hospital. Still, it is the main urban hospital serving Kumasi and has been standing since the 1950s.

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the site of Dr. Frempong's clinic, lacks many of the resources of an American hospital. Still, it has been standing since the 1950s and servs as main urban hospital in Kumasi.

Domfe's sickle cell gave him chronic leg ulcers. The disease also prompted his family to abandon him.

The stigma regarding sickle cell is harsh in Ghana. Domfe's sickle cell led to chronic leg ulcers. The disease also prompted his family to abandon him.