WHO Africa releases groundbreaking guidance to strengthen fight against sickle cell disease

Brazzaville – The World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region today released groundbreaking new guidance to help strengthen efforts to address the growing threat of sickle cell disease in the region.

Important for their integrated and holistic approach, the new technical documents provide detailed, actionable strategies and information to help countries improve the quality of care, make treatment more accessible and improve overall health outcomes.

Despite notable progress in sickle cell disease treatment globally, including newborn screening, hydroxyurea therapy, gene therapy, improved management strategies, and expanded vaccination programs that have reduced mortality rates in high-income countries, significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to these treatments in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the African region.

An estimated 240,000 children are born with sickle cell disease each year on the continent, and up to 80% of them will die from serious infections or acute chest syndrome before the age of five – the highest sickle cell-related infant mortality rate in the world.

“As we continue the fight against sickle cell disease, we are confident that this guidance for countries will be a valuable addition to their toolbox, particularly because it is tailored to the African reality, where a multidimensional approach is essential,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The new WHO guidance documents for Africa, entitled Sickle Cell Disease Management Framework and Harmonized Guide for the Management of Sickle Cell Disease in Africa , provide countries with strategic guidance for policies, comprehensive care plans and advocacy efforts.

Together, these documents form the WHO SICKLE package of interventions for the management of sickle cell disease. The SICKLE programme aims to provide a holistic and integrated approach to the management of sickle cell disease, ensuring access to necessary interventions, promoting education and advocacy, improving the quality of care, and empowering patients and communities.

Developed with financial support from the Government of Monaco and other partners, this program reflects a combination of the latest research, best practices and innovative approaches to sickle cell disease management, making them essential tools for healthcare providers, policy makers and advocates.

WHO Africa has been at the forefront of the fight against sickle cell disease since 2010, focusing its efforts on, among other things, disease interventions and scale-up, as well as access to treatment technologies and innovative medicines.

Progress to date includes the adoption by several countries of accurate and inexpensive point-of-care screening, as well as the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Also significant is the availability in 11 countries of hydroxyurea, a highly effective drug for preventing episodes of pain, thereby reducing visits to health centers.

Despite the progress, major challenges remain. These range from limited health care infrastructure, lack of awareness and education, and inadequate access to comprehensive care, to limited newborn screening, weak research and development, and restricted access to advanced treatments.