Sickle cell disease: experts are working together in Nouakchott
Published on 15 February 2023 at 08:41 - Modified the 19 July 2023 at 11:58
The GRAD6[1] network of medical experts, supported by the Government of Monaco, met for a workshop from 23rd to 26th January 2023 in Nouakchott, Mauritania. It plans to work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to prepare a multilingual holistic guide on sickle cell disease care for the African continent.
At this workshop, which was opened by the Secretary General of the Mauritanian Ministry of Health, GRAD-6 medical experts welcomed the WHO representative of the AFRO region (WHO’s African region, ed) to share their thoughts regarding the fight against sickle cell disease. Focus was placed on the lack of data and the devastating effects of this overlooked genetic disease, as it is estimated that one child in two dies before the age of 5, and 120 million individuals are affected worldwide.
Between 2016 and 2019, based on the experiences of its members and various scientific sources, GRAD6 produced a “Harmonised Guide for Sickle Cell Disease Management in Africa”. This practical guide, already distributed with the consent of the Ministries of Health of the 6 countries concerned, is geared towards all health professionals in these 6 countries, from small-scale healthcare stations to major reference centres, and is aimed at improving patient care.
As a first step, WHO - in line with its policy to intensify efforts to combat non transmissible diseases - plans to develop a holistic guide for the global management of sickle cell disease in WHO’s African region. In order to do this, WHO will build on existing work such as that carried out by GRAD6 for the French version.
In light of the framework agreement between WHO and the Principality of Monaco, it seemed appropriate that a collaboration be set up, with the Principality’s support. Further multilingual workshops are scheduled over the course of 2023.
The publication of a multilingual harmonised guide in Africa will represent a real step forward in improving the quality of life of those living with sickle cell disease.
[1] GRAD6 (Groupe de Référents ouest-Africains et malgaches de lutte contre la Drépanocytose) is a network of experts involved in the fight against sickle cell disease. This network, established as an association since 2019 and whose head office is in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), in partnership with the Ministries of Health of the 6 member countries – Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal – and with the support of the Monegasque Cooperation, develops various actions aimed at improving care for sickle cell disease patients.