Curbing the cost of sickle cell disease in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s largest burden of sickle cell disease - the World Health Organisation says 66 per cent of the 120 million people affected globally live in Africa. And over half of the estimated 1,000 children born with the disease every year will die before they turn five.  

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we learn about the myths and misconceptions surrounding sickle cell disease that create stigma and hamper proper and early diagnosis. We also learn of the hurdles the Sub-Saharan African region faces in the treatment, prevention and detection of sickle cell disease. 

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.

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