Strengthening Prevention, Diagnosis and Care for Sickle Cell Disease and Other Inherited Blood Disorders in Africa. Our CEO, Dr Ambrose Talisuna represented the Africa Public Health Foundation (APHF) at the kick-off of the implementation of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) continental plan for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and other inherited blood disorders, as well as the official launch of the Africa CDC and the Novo-Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation (NNHF) partnership for advancing a shared roadmap for country-led implementation across Africa. This seminal event was held in Dar-Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of Africa’s most significant and under-financed public health challenges, with the continent bearing more than 70% of the global burden and approximately 300,000 children born with SCD each year. The trait persists at high frequency across sub-Saharan Africa in part because it confers evolutionary protection against severe P. falciparum malaria, intertwining two major public health conditions in the same populations and geographies. Despite the availability of proven and affordable interventions, many children are still diagnosed very late or cannot access consistent, affordable care, and an estimated 50% to 80% of affected infants die before turning five years old due to severe infections, anaemia and acute pain crises.
The Africa CDC continental plan for SCD and other inherited blood disorders is a very comprehensive plan that was developed in a highly participatory manner with numerous case studies from high burden countries. The plan is underpinned on eight critical pillars namely: 1) Governance, Policy and Advocacy; 2) Prevention and Early Detection; 3) Health System Strengthening and Integration; 4) Access to Essential Commodities; 5) Human Resources and Capacity Building; 6) Psychosocial Support and Community Engagement; 7) Health Financing and Universal Coverage and 8) Surveillance and Research. The launch of this continental plan provides the needed momentum towards addressing SCD, building on the Africa CDC’s continental leadership and existing programmes, and on the APHF’s role as a financing and programme-management platform. Implementation of this plan should also draw on the experience of other partners including the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation and TERUMO Blood and Cell Technologies, while creating stronger links between country-level initiatives, technical partners and financing sources.
The Africa Public Health Foundation (A PHF) is an independent charitable grantmaking foundation established in 2019 to serve as the partnerships platform for the Africa CDC in facilitating the mobilization and management of funding and broader multi-sectoral partnerships to fast-track the delivery of the Africa CDC’s strategic goals, At the APHF we appeal for catalytic financing from major donors, philanthropic and private-sector partners, to roll out and support the Africa CDC Continental Plan for SCD and other inherited blood disorders. We really need to end the suffering of vulnerable populations living with SCD and other inherited blood disorders in Africa.
