European Institute for Cooperation &
Development
Fight against Sickle Cell Anemia (Drepanocytosis)
The sickle cell anaemia was declared public
health priority by the UN in 2008. It is one of the first genetic
diseases in the world. In DRC, the prevalence of the disease is one
of the highest in the world, particularly in newborn babies.
Mortality rates range from 50% to 70% for the under 15 of age. When
not correctly treated, sickle cell anemia can be strongly
incapacitating and painful (blood-flow obstruction crises,
dysfunctional spleen, acute life-threatening anaemia,etc.) and
often leads to important social marginalization. Children are
unable to follow a normal schooling because they are stigmatised,
families are driven into poverty because of the high cost of the
treatment and the physical impairments resulting from the frequent
crises. Due to the necessary transfusions the patients need to
undertake regularly, HIV contamination risks are also very
high.
The objective of the programme, running since
2006, is to further strengthen the existing screening and
support centres in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, and to extend the
centre’s expertise in 8 health zones in Kinshasa, Bas-Congo and
Lubumbashi. The project will allow more than 650 sickle cell
anaemia patients to benefit from an early and qualified treatment
and 18 000 newly born babies to be detected.
The programme is run in close cooperation with
the Ministry of Health (National Programme Against SCA) and its
primary health care structures, and with 8 local specialized
associations, grouped under a coordinating body (PAFOVED:
“Support, Training and Watch Platform on Drepanocytosis”.
PAFOVED is under the direct management of IECD.