Treating sickle cell disease in resource-limited sub-Saharan Africa: recent strategies and recommendations in addressing the gaps for the provision of evidence-based management
Miguel Brito, Catarina Ginete, Akinyemi O D Ofakunrin, Ijeoma Idiaku Akinwumi, Baba Inusa
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: 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. AREAS COVERED: The state of evidencebased management of SCD in SSA was investigated including sustainability of international funding agencies. EXPERT OPINION: Current efforts are fragmentary along languages lines; sometimes driven by the funder's objectives and not the 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 evidence-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 SCD, as a leading non-communicable disease in Africa, be mandated as a standing agenda for the National Council of Ministers at the African Union, WHO and other regional bodies in Africa.