Mitigating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sickle cell disease services in African countries

Daniel Dexter,David Simons,Charles Kiyaga,Nathan Kapata,Francine Ntoumi,Richard Kock,Alimuddin Zumla

doi:10.1016/s2352-3026(20)30122-8

Abstract

An estimated 5% of the world's population are carriers for trait genes for haemoglobin disorders, mainly sickle cell disease. Over 75% of the global burden of sickle cell anaemia occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, and sickle cell disease is the most prevalent inherited genetic disease with 10–45% of the population carrying the sickle cell gene. Advances in sickle cell disease management, including screening of newborn babies, pneumococcal prophylaxis, and hydroxyurea therapy have transformed sickle cell disease from a fatal childhood disease to a chronic condition of adulthood.

Highlights

Arno Massee/Science Photo Library chronic condition of adulthood
Not reported by Maggio and colleagues,[7] the effect of deferiprone and deferasirox on quality of life is of great interest because little is known about this issue in paediatric patients, and adherence to longterm medications fundamentally relies on a patient’s perception of improvements in quality of life
Few African countries have epidemiological data on disease burden, which poses an additional barrier to effective health systems planning. This situation is compounded by the additional burden of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on existing resources

Summary

Introduction

Arno Massee/Science Photo Library chronic condition of adulthood. Sickle cell disease remains a neglected tropical disease in Africa, characterised by a scarcity of specialist services and resultant high mortality for children younger than 5 years.[1]. Mitigating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sickle cell disease services in African countries Sickle cell disease remains a neglected tropical disease in Africa, characterised by a scarcity of specialist services and resultant high mortality for children younger than 5 years.[1] few African countries have epidemiological data on disease burden, which poses an additional barrier to effective health systems planning.

Results

Conclusion