Sharecare Ghana, a patients' organization of people with autoimmune and neurological diseases, together with their families, friends, and the professionals taking care of them, has in a petition to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, asked for inclusion of treatment on people with autoimmune and neurological conditions in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

In an interview with The Mail, the coordinator of the organization, Nana Yaa Agyeman said her NGO appreciates the current amendment and restructuring the scheme is going through nationwide and wishes to have autoimmune and neurological conditions considered in this revision.

"Affordable medication and treatment options are paramount in the battle against these diseases; without them, the body continues to attack itself leading to progressive, painful and sometimes permanent damage of the organ systems".

Expanding on the reasons for sending the petition she said, "Sharecare Ghana believes that the coverage of these diseases by the NHIS would give all afflicted individuals an opportunity to receive regular medical care and effective medications. We hope that, the coverage of the diseases by the scheme would also reduce financial and personal stress currently experienced by those with chronic conditions. In essence, insurance coverage could make a world of difference in someone's life".

Autoimmune diseases and diseases of the central nervous system collectively affect a significant number of people worldwide. Autoimmune diseases occur due to defects in the immune system. The immune system goes awry and attacks one's own body, leading to severe organ damage. Examples of autoimmune diseases include Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type I Diabetes, but there are many more. They affect more women than men and condemn the afflicted to a lifetime of chronic illness and disability, reduced productivity and expensive treatment.

The petition has become necessary because the National Health Insurance Scheme currently does not cover several of the diseases the members suffer from, making it difficult to access the sort of healthcare delivery that best suits their situation.

The organization called on the various bodies the petition was sent to, to push for its acceptance into the scheme not only in the nation's capital, but in all regions.

Sharecare Ghana (Sharecare4u) was started in 2006 by a group of people with rare neuro-immunological diseases. The group was later widened to include all autoimmune and neurological conditions.

It was registered in November 2007 as a non-profit organization and launched on June 19th, 2008. It is also recognized by the Department of Social Welfare.

The organization seeks to among other objectives, create awareness among the public about these diseases; act as an advocacy group to put pressure on local and national health authorities to treat the diseases with the seriousness they deserve in the national health care delivery system, for subsidized long-term drug treatment; raise funds for research and proper implementation of the Disability Act of Ghana in conjunction with the Ghana Federation of the Disabled.