Strengthening global partnerships for sustainable sickle cell disease care: insights from SickleInAfrica at the 77th United Nations General Assembly and the US-Africa Leaders' Summit.
Irene Kida Minja, Siana Nkya, Daima Bukini, Nesia Mahenge, Upendo Masamu, Janeth Manongi, Josephine Mgaya, Frank Mtiiye, Malula Nkanyemka, Eka Patricia Kisali, Isihaka Mwinchande Mahawi, Aisha Rifai, Agnes Jonathan, Victoria Nembaware, Mario Jonas, Nicola Mulder, Ruth Namazi, Deogratius Munube, Vivian Paintsil, Raphael Zozimus Sangeda, Hans Ackerman, Ruhl Parker, Fred Stephan Sarfo, Aldiouma Guindo, Obiageli Eunice Nnodu, Emmanuel Balandya, Sarah Kiguli, Catherine Chunda-Liyoka, Patience Kuona, Emmanuel Peprah, Appolinary Kamuhabwa, Julie Makani
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Addressing sickle cell disease (SCD) is crucial for achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Africa. The region is significantly affected, with 78.7% of patients with SCD residing in sub-Saharan Africa and over 515 000 newborns diagnosed annually. Historically, African health systems have struggled to provide optimal care for patients with SCD, resulting in high under-5 mortality and severe childhood morbidity. Scientific innovations and stakeholder engagement offer hope for improving SCD outcomes.
Objective: To explore the role of high-level partnerships and scientific innovation in advancing SCD care and research in Africa, focusing on the contributions and strategic engagements of the SickleInAfrica, as highlighted at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the US-Africa Leaders' Summit.
Approach: SickleInAfrica, comprising eight countries, leverages a robust infrastructure for SCD research and care. The consortium has established a comprehensive SCD database and a patient registry in each of the consortium sites that includes demographic details, clinical diagnosis, management details and follow-ups/visits. Currently, over 34 000 patients with SCD are enrolled, making it the largest globally. It has also contextually adapted clinical guidelines for managing SCD for all levels of care. The high-level engagements at the 77th UNGA held in September 2022 in New York and the US-Africa Leaders' Summit held in December 2022 in Washington DC promoted SCD awareness and partnerships. The UNGA session emphasised biomedical science, implementation research and partnerships in therapeutic development, while the US-Africa Leaders' Summit session focused on Global Partnerships for SCD: Advancing Science and Technology for Health in Africa.
Conclusions: High-level engagements facilitate cross-border dialogues, underscoring the importance of partnerships from grassroots to global alliances. Key outcomes include increased awareness, policy advocacy and the establishment of SCD Centres of Excellence and genomics capacity-building initiatives. Sustainable efforts require robust partnerships, government involvement, community awareness and equitable access to advanced therapies.
期刊介绍:
BMJ Global Health is an online Open Access journal from BMJ that focuses on publishing high-quality peer-reviewed content pertinent to individuals engaged in global health, including policy makers, funders, researchers, clinicians, and frontline healthcare workers. The journal encompasses all facets of global health, with a special emphasis on submissions addressing underfunded areas such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It welcomes research across all study phases and designs, from study protocols to phase I trials to meta-analyses, including small or specialized studies. The journal also encourages opinionated discussions on controversial topics.