Treating sickle cell disease in resource-limited sub-saharan Africa: recent strategies and recommendations in addressing the gaps for the provision of evidenced based management.

Journal: Expert Review Of Hematology
Published:
Abstract

The management of Sickle cell disease (SCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffers from the lack of universal Infant and population screening, inadequate access to standard treatment and poor public health prioritization amidst unstable political systems. The state of evidence management of SCD in SSA was investigated including sustainability of international funding agencies. Current efforts are fragmentary along languages lines; sometimes driven by the funder's objectives and not national agenda. The review highlighted the role of internal and external partnerships such as SPARCO, ARISE, CONSA, as well as technology-based support for the implementation of evidenced based care for SCD. We advocate for increased funding to implement SCD comprehensive care in line with the WHO SCD Framework for Primary Secondary, Tertiary and Specialist Comprehensive Care at state and national level. To achieve this objective, it is important that for SCD as a leading non-communicable disease in Africa and mandate it as a standing agenda for National Council of Ministers at African Union, WHO and regional bodies.