Improving healthcare and social services for those with sickle cell disease<\/h1>\n\u2014 Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Madagascar, DRC \u2014<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2018\/12\/drepa_multipays_v2-1.jpg\" "\\"drepa_multipays_v2")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>In central Africa and Madagascar, the prevalence of the sickle cell gene ranges from 10% to 30%. Up to 2% of infants are born with the most severe form of the disease, and, without early and appropriate treatment, half to three quarters of these die before reaching the age of five. National programmes are generally attempting to curb this phenomenon, but governments lack the needed resources. In 2014, to remedy this problem, the IECD, the AFD and Fondation Pierre Fabre decided to invest in a major project spread over four years. The objectives: reduce the mortality and morbidity related to sickle cell disease and improve patient quality of life.<\/strong><\/p>\nThis programme, implemented in 2014 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar and in 2015 in Congo-Brazzaville and Cameroon, focuses first and foremost on improving screening of children<\/strong>. By training healthcare workers and establishing functional laboratories in referring healthcare centres, it will be possible to screen nearly 100,000 children. The programme will also improve medical care by training healthcare professionals and the parents of affected children, as well as purchasing vaccines and medicines. Communication and information dissemination will also be addressed: 160,000 women, students, teachers, and others will be educated on the importance of screening, as will associations working with street children.<\/p>\nIn addition to financial support, the Pierre Fabre Foundation will help the project with its expertise in sickle cell disease<\/strong> and share wisdom gained from its experiences in Madagascar and in Kinshasa.<\/p>\nUltimately, this programme is expected to produce lasting change in the population\u2019s behaviour and empower local health structures. It should also encourage public authorities to make sickle cell disease a priority<\/strong>. This could be done, for example by including it in the basic healthcare package, or adding it to initial training curricula for healthcare professionals or to training for primary- and secondary-school teachers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>KEY FACTS<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n_____<\/span><\/p>\nPriority<\/strong><\/span>
\nCombating Sickle cell disease<\/span><\/p>\nProgramme<\/strong><\/span>
\nSince 2014<\/span><\/p>\nType of involvement<\/strong><\/span>
\nDistributor and operator<\/span><\/p>\nActions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Programme cofounding<\/span><\/li>\n
- Steering collaboration<\/span><\/li>\n
- Strengthening the early detection circuit<\/span><\/li>\n
- Access to quality care for sickle cell patients and their families<\/span><\/li>\n
- Training of health personnel in diagnosis and management<\/span><\/li>\n
- Improving public awareness of the disease<\/span><\/li>\n
- Structuring advocacy actions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Centre hospitalier Monkole<\/strong><\/span>
\n4804, Avenue Ngafani,
\nQuartier Masanga-Mbila,
\nCommune de Mont-Ngafula
\nKINSHASA
\nDRC
\nwww.monkole.cd\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%2775%27%20height%3D%2763%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%2075%2063%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%2775%27%20height%3D%2763%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\")
<\/span><\/p>\nAt regional level, we intend to strengthen the Sickle Cell Disease Research Network in Central Africa (REDAC). Created in Kinshasa five years ago, it serves as a platform for dialogue and information-sharing, bringing together scientists and practitioners from several central African countries. This ambitious project will boost the REDAC\u2019s influence among authorities and funding partners.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nPr L\u00e9on Tshilolo<\/strong><\/span>
\nMedical Director\/Senior Coordinator – Monkole Hospital Centre – Health Training and Support Centre (CEFA), Kinshasa<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE INITIATIVES<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Achievements<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/img_0025ok.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
48<\/span>
\n<\/span>healthcare centres partnering on the project (40 in the DRC and 8 in Madagascar)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/Sans-titre-2-300x169.png\")
<\/p>\n
188<\/span>
\n<\/span>paramedics and physicians trained in the DRC
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/dsc04852ok.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
2 500<\/span>
\n<\/span>professionals trained in the management of sickle cell disease since 2018
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/img_0110.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
69,202<\/span>
\n<\/span>screenings in 2019 in the 80 partner health centres<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/dsc03454.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
More than<\/strong> 80,000<\/span>
\n<\/span>persons reached by information campains
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/campagne_sensibilisation_jeunes_mamans_ok.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
3,790\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>sickle cell patients to be treated in 2019 in partner health centres
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Initiatives<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>C\u00f4te d’Ivoire will be included in the second phase of the programme, which will continue until 2020 along the same lines, with increased support and training.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>PARTNERS<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n- Agence fran\u00e7aise de d\u00e9veloppement – AFD<\/a>\u00a0(funding)<\/li>\n
- Institut europ\u00e9en de d\u00e9veloppement et de coop\u00e9ration – IECD<\/a> (project leader)<\/li>\n
- H\u00f4pital d\u2019Essos de Yaound\u00e9 (CNPS) – Cameroon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n- Institut Malgache des Recherches Appliqu\u00e9es\u00a0(IMRA)<\/a> \u2013 Madagascar<\/li>\n
- Health centres supported by IECD in Pointe Noire\u2013 Congo-Brazzaville<\/li>\n
- H\u00f4pital Monkole de Kinshasa<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Democratic Republic of Congo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
See also<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n In central Africa and Madagascar, the prevalence of the sickle cell gene ranges from 10% to 30%. Up to 2% of infants are born with the most severe form of the disease, and, without early and appropriate treatment, half to three quarters of these die before reaching the age of five. National programmes are generally attempting to curb this phenomenon, but governments lack the needed resources. In 2014, to remedy this problem, the IECD, the AFD and Fondation Pierre Fabre decided to invest in a major project spread over four years. The objectives: reduce the mortality and morbidity related to sickle cell disease and improve patient quality of life.<\/strong><\/p>\n This programme, implemented in 2014 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar and in 2015 in Congo-Brazzaville and Cameroon, focuses first and foremost on improving screening of children<\/strong>. By training healthcare workers and establishing functional laboratories in referring healthcare centres, it will be possible to screen nearly 100,000 children. The programme will also improve medical care by training healthcare professionals and the parents of affected children, as well as purchasing vaccines and medicines. Communication and information dissemination will also be addressed: 160,000 women, students, teachers, and others will be educated on the importance of screening, as will associations working with street children.<\/p>\n In addition to financial support, the Pierre Fabre Foundation will help the project with its expertise in sickle cell disease<\/strong> and share wisdom gained from its experiences in Madagascar and in Kinshasa.<\/p>\n Ultimately, this programme is expected to produce lasting change in the population\u2019s behaviour and empower local health structures. It should also encourage public authorities to make sickle cell disease a priority<\/strong>. This could be done, for example by including it in the basic healthcare package, or adding it to initial training curricula for healthcare professionals or to training for primary- and secondary-school teachers.<\/p>\n<\/div> KEY FACTS<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Priority<\/strong><\/span> Programme<\/strong><\/span> Type of involvement<\/strong><\/span> Actions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Centre hospitalier Monkole<\/strong><\/span> At regional level, we intend to strengthen the Sickle Cell Disease Research Network in Central Africa (REDAC). Created in Kinshasa five years ago, it serves as a platform for dialogue and information-sharing, bringing together scientists and practitioners from several central African countries. This ambitious project will boost the REDAC\u2019s influence among authorities and funding partners.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Pr L\u00e9on Tshilolo<\/strong><\/span> 48<\/span> 188<\/span> 2 500<\/span> 69,202<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div> More than<\/strong> 80,000<\/span> 3,790\u00a0<\/span> C\u00f4te d’Ivoire will be included in the second phase of the programme, which will continue until 2020 along the same lines, with increased support and training.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n_____<\/span><\/p>\n
\nCombating Sickle cell disease<\/span><\/p>\n
\nSince 2014<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDistributor and operator<\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n4804, Avenue Ngafani,
\nQuartier Masanga-Mbila,
\nCommune de Mont-Ngafula
\nKINSHASA
\nDRC
\nwww.monkole.cd\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/07\/Sans-titre-1-1.png\")
\nMedical Director\/Senior Coordinator – Monkole Hospital Centre – Health Training and Support Centre (CEFA), Kinshasa<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE INITIATIVES<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Achievements<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>healthcare centres partnering on the project (40 in the DRC and 8 in Madagascar)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>paramedics and physicians trained in the DRC
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>professionals trained in the management of sickle cell disease since 2018
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>screenings in 2019 in the 80 partner health centres<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>persons reached by information campains
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>sickle cell patients to be treated in 2019 in partner health centres
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Initiatives<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>PARTNERS<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>See also<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sandbox.fondationpierrefabre.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/11\/Patients-au-Centre-de-Recherche-et-de-Lutte-contre-la-Dr\u00e9panocytose-CRLD-de-Bamako-en-2015-e1574257581655.jpg\")
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