This project, in North West Region, Cameroon, will equip a sickle cell disease laboratory for the early detection of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), assess and monitor patient blood formation and disorders, thus, saving hundreds of children from painful SCD episodes, related complications and untimely deaths. About 25% of affected new born children die before the age of five (5), undiagnosed, from SCD preventable complications. Help prevent passing on a genetic disorder; relief a child from pain.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 25% of 4,000 births in Cameroon are sickle cell affected and many will die before the age of five (5) without diagnosis from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) related preventable complications. Cameroon lacks a dedicated facility and structured program for early SCD diagnosis intervention. The establishment of SCD lab will assist in screening and testing over 600 rural community children each year.
The project will established the first and only structured and specialised laboratory to provide sickle cell disease diagnostic services in the region. It will also provide routine blood tests to identified children for monitoring, managing and preventing SCD related complications.
Reduced incident of infant deaths from preventable complications, improved health and well being of children and families, reduced school absentee rates for affected children and work absences from care givers.
