The World Health Organisation has said more than 66 per cent of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell disease live in Africa.
The WHO stated that approximately 1,000 babies are born with the disease every day in Africa, making it the most prevalent genetically-acquired disease in the region.
It also said more than half of these children would die before they reach the age of five, usually from infection or severe anaemia.
In a press statement made available journalists, the WHO regional office for Africa noted that 38,403 deaths from sickle cell disease were recorded in 2019 in Africa, a 26 per cent increase from 2000.
It, however, said African health ministers launched a campaign to ramp up awareness, bolster prevention and care to curb the toll of sickle cell disease at the ongoing 72nd WHO Regional Committee for Africa.
The statement read in part, “More than 66 per cent of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell disease live in Africa. Approximately 1,000 children are born with the disease every day in Africa, making it the most prevalent genetically-acquired disease in the region. More than half of these children will die before they reach the age of five, usually from infection or severe anaemia.
“Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that shortens red blood cell survival, causing anaemia—often called sickle cell anaemia. Poor blood oxygen levels and blood vessel blockages in people with sickle cell disease can cause extreme pain in the back, chest, hands and feet as well as severe bacterial infections.
“In the African region, 38,403 deaths from sickle cell disease were recorded in 2019, a 26 per cent increase from 2000. The burden of sickle cell stems from low investment in the efforts to combat the disease. Many public health facilities across the region lack the services for prevention, early detection and care for sickle cell disease. Inadequate personnel and lack of services at lower-level health facilities also hamper effective response to the disease.”
The campaign, launched at a side event on enhancing advocacy on sickle cell disease, aims to shore up political will and engagement as well as financial resources for sickle cell disease prevention and control across the region.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said, “Most African countries do not have the necessary resources to provide comprehensive care for people with sickle cell disease despite the availability of proven cost-effective interventions for prevention, early diagnosis and management of this condition. We need to shine the spotlight on this disease and help improve the quality of life of those living with it.”
The organisation added that due to the absence of newborn screening programmes and surveillance across the region, there is a lack of accurate and reliable data on the disease.
“We can no longer ignore the significant burden caused by sickle cell disease. We must do more to improve access to treatment and care, including counselling and newborn screening by ensuring that programmes are decentralised and integrated with services delivered to communities and at the primary health care level,” Moeti said.