Advancing Public Health in Africa: Redefining Blood Transfusion Therapy and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Management through Innovative Red Cell Exchange Technologies
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects 20-25 million people globally, 12-15 million of them living in Africa. It is estimated that 75-85% are children born in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa carries the highest burden of SCD, with around 236,000 annual SCD births, 90% of them dying before five years.1 SCD aligns with Africa’s New Public Health Order, given the continent’s vast population of over 1.2 billion people and the frequent occurrence of public health emergencies. Consequently, addressing SCD in Africa becomes an urgent imperative.
To tackle this challenge, Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood management and safety, cell therapy, and collections, will be hosting an official virtual side event during CPHIA 2023. This event will bring together prominent health leaders from the government, development partners, private sector, transfusion medicine and public health practitioners to explore how innovative red cell exchange technologies can redefine transfusion therapy and SCD management in Africa.
