Building Capacity for Pediatric Hematological Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Lulu Fred Chirande, Ruth Namazzi, Marilyn Hockenberry, Peter Wasswa, Sarah Kiguli, Tadala Mulemba, Julie M Gastier-Foster, Magdalena Lyimo, Gladstone Airewele, Joseph Lubega, Nmazuo Wudo Ozuah
Author Information
Lulu Fred Chirande: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania-United Republic.
Ruth Namazzi: College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Marilyn Hockenberry: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.
Peter Wasswa: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.
Sarah Kiguli: Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
Tadala Mulemba: Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Julie M Gastier-Foster: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.
Magdalena Lyimo: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania-United Republic.
Gladstone Airewele: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.
Joseph Lubega: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.
Nmazuo Wudo Ozuah: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.
The spectrum of hematological diseases in African children includes anemias, bleeding disorders, thromboses, and oncological diseases such as leukemias. While data are limited, outcomes for these diseases are poorer in Africa. The dearth of specialists, and lack of infrastructure that supports diagnosis and management, have been identified as key barriers to improving outcomes for childhood hematological disorders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To address these , intentional capacity building efforts addressing education and training, diagnostic capacity and access to blood products, and medicines , are needed. This article explores some ongoing efforts in the region aimed at fostering the capacity to identify and treat childhood hematological disorders across a breadth of initiatives targeting the critical themes of education, diagnostic support and treatment. We also identify existing opportunities through international partnerships, to build sustainable programs that can support children with hematological diseases in SSA.
