Health
CONSA Highlights Need for Newborn Screening of Sickle Cell Disease in Africa
Despite progress made in reducing child mortality and improving health outcomes, many African countries do not have the capacity to diagnose and treat genetic diseases, those passed from parents to children. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has partnered with African-based haematologists and allied health professionals to launch the ASH Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA), an international network that seeks to demonstrate the benefits of newborn screening and early interventions for children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 300,000 babies are born with SCD every year in sub-Saharan Africa, but many do not live past the age of five because they lack access to testing, comprehensive clinical care, and early intervention programmes. To help change this trajectory, CONSA has launched newborn screening programmes in seven countries: Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Through the leadership of haematologists and public health officials in these countries, CONSA introduces standard-of-care practices for screening and early intervention therapies (such as antibiotic prophylaxis and immunizations) for SCD.
The goal of the consortium is to screen 10,000 to 16,000 newborns in each country every year for the next five years, and research the long-term benefits of newborn diagnosis and early clinical interventions. Once screened, newborns found to be living with SCD will enter clinical programmes that offer access to necessary medications, education on SCD care for their families, and monitoring of their health needs up to the age of five. Haematologists and public health officials participating in the consortium have mobilized networks of screening laboratories, SCD or paediatric haematology clinics, teaching hospitals, universities, and satellite clinics to screen babies and provide clinical services. To date, more than 11,000 newborns have been screened.
ASH, CONSA leaders, and the WHO held a virtual press conference on Thursday, October 21, 2021 to educate and create awareness of the importance of newborn screening programmes for SCD, and the importance of government leadership to ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts.
“Our aim in partnering with sickle cell experts who are based in Africa as well as collaborating with the public sector is to prioritise government capacity and funding to increase the number of infants being screened for sickle cell disease across the region. Despite the challenges from COVID-19, we have been able to make great progress in initiating screening and care for children living with SCD, with all seven countries in our consortium set up to screen newborns this year. We hope that the successful launch of these screening programmes and treatment protocols will demonstrate the feasibility of this model and will encourage other nations with a high burden of SCD to take similar steps to diagnose and treat SCD,” said Dr. Alexis Thompson, member of the ASH CONSA Steering Committee, former ASH president, and head of the Haematology Section at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
CONSA newborn screening programmes first launched in late 2020 and two positive cases were immediately identified in Nigeria through newborn screening, and the babies received early intervention therapies, such as penicillin prophylaxis and folic acid, to increase their chances of survival. In early October 2021, CONSA celebrated the first birthday of one of the newborns who was recently featured in Nature. The event included a community celebration and awareness event for SCD screening.
During the session, ASH (as the world’s largest professional society of clinicians and scientists) stated that the success of screening programmes and the promise of progress in the sub-Saharan Africa region will demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat SCD to improve the long-term health of children with SCD.
Dr. Jean-Marie Dangou, coordinator of the Noncommunicable Disease Programme at WHO-Regional Office for Africa, said: “Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that is inherited due to a mutant haemoglobin gene from both parents. The health burden of haemoglobin disorders can be effectively reduced through diagnostic, management, and prevention programmes, as well as through family counseling and community education. This further emphasizes the importance of the newborn screening in children so that early interventions are implemented quicker to increase chances of survival for babies born with this condition. The WHO in the African region looks forward to working with national leaders, civil society organizations, and international partners including ASH CONSA to ensure effective, evidence-based responses are scaled up and all children are reached with life-saving interventions.”
Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, president of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, and national coordinator for Ghana, CONSA, discussed the importance of collaboration between government, non-governmental organizations, and haematologists to provide the best possible care to newborns. He said: “Saving the lives of children is a priority in all our countries. Newborn screening for SCD saves lives of children even before the parents know they have SCD. And that is why we need to continue to promote newborn screening to our government leaders. An organization like the American Society of Haematology has a voice that can be heard very loudly, compared to our voices within our own countries. And that’s why we appreciate the CONSA collaboration with the American Society of Hematology.”
The discussion focused on the impact of newborn screening on both the quality of life and how it can prevent costly and painful health care services.
Dr. Catherine Chunda-Liyoka, consultant paediatrician at the University Teaching Hospitals-Children’s Hospital, and national coordinator for Zambia, CONSA, said: “Newborn screening allows us to diagnosis a child very early in life. This ultimately reduces the likelihood of developing complications, making it cheaper to care for such a child through a potentially expensive, lifelong illness. Such a child can be cared for at a low-level health care facility by primary health care providers who can continue to provide the easy to source and implement, low-cost interventions. When these children don’t have complications, they may live most of their lives without going into a specialized hospital, requiring specialized, expensive and complicated care.”
ASH will continue working in partnership with local and country governments, and industry partners like PerkinElmer and Novartis, to provide resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of screening and early intervention efforts and increase hematology capacity throughout sub-Saharan Africa. To learn more, visit https://www.hematology.org/global-initiatives/consortium-on-newborn-screening-in-africa.
In response to the Federal Government’s renewed focus on eliminating substandard medical equipment from Nigerian hospitals, PPC Limited has reiterated the importance of strengthening quality assurance in the country’s healthcare sector
According to Dr. Emmanuel Iyere, Head of Diagnostics Services at PPC Limited, the widespread use of unreliable or poorly maintained medical devices undermines clinical outcomes and puts patients at risk. Addressing this challenge requires greater accountability in procurement, closer monitoring of equipment standards, and a stronger focus on sustainable investments in trusted technologies.
“Healthcare professionals can not deliver optimal care without dependable tools. When equipment fails, it places unnecessary strain on caregivers and can compromise patient safety. Nigeria’s hospitals must be supported with reliable systems that meet international standards,” Dr. Iyere stated.Stakeholders need to be at the forefront of strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem through innovative Public-Private partnerships (PPPs). We have achieved notable collaborations, including the provision of diagnostic imaging solutions for tertiary hospitals and the supply and maintenance of laboratory equipment in partnership with state governments. These PPPs demonstrate how combining government support with private-sector expertise can deliver sustainable, high-quality healthcare services.”He further emphasized that by aligning procurement with global best practices and prioritizing quality over short-term cost savings, the healthcare system can better protect patients, reduce waste, and strengthen trust in medical services.
In Nigeria today, sudden cardiac emergencies, including heart attacks and cardiac arrest, are no longer rare occurrences. According to SOS Emergency Response Technologies, hypertension affects over 40% of the adult population, and with cardiovascular diseases becoming increasingly prevalent, the need for immediate lifesaving interventions is higher than ever.Heart-Related Illness: A Growing National ConcernHeart-related illnesses have become a major national concern in Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Hypertension Society and Nigerian Heart Foundation, approximately 76 million Nigerians live with high blood pressure, and only a small fraction have their condition under control. Sudden cardiac events, often tied to unmanaged hypertension, are striking people in their prime, sometimes within minutes.Hypertension affects approximately 38–42% of adult Nigerians, with only about 7% achieving effective blood pressure control, according to reports by The Guardian.The Nigerian Cardiac Society also notes that heart disease claims over 20 million lives globally each year, most of them in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. These realities are compounded by reports of individuals collapsing from unexpected heart attacks, often attributed to undiagnosed hypertension or heart disease.These figures highlight a major public health challenge: sudden cardiac arrest and heart disease are claiming thousands of lives, many of which could be prevented with timely detection and early intervention.The PPC Healthcare Solution: AEDsAutomated External Defibrillators (AEDs) play a critical role in saving lives during sudden cardiac events. When used in combination with basic CPR, AEDs can triple the chances of survival. Time is critical: survival declines by 10% with every minute without defibrillation. When CPR is used together with an AED, survival chances can triple—even if medical services are still en route (CESAHA.org). Unfortunately, in Nigeria, AEDs are rarely found in public settings.According to guidelines from the Nigerian Cardiac Society, AEDs should be made available in high-traffic, high-risk locations such as airports, shopping malls, markets, schools, universities, event centres, hospitals, clinics, security posts, banks, workplaces, and high-rise buildings.However, simply having AEDs is not enough. Trained staff, such as security officers, receptionists, and event personnel, must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and AED use. According to national standards, each facility installing an AED should train at least 10 personnel to ensure the device is used effectively in emergencies.Every minute without defibrillation reduces a cardiac arrest victim’s survival odds by 7–10%. Keeping AEDs accessible and training people to use them can make the difference between life and death (SOS Emergency Response Technologies).At PPC Limited, we advocate for legislation and policies mandating AED presence in vulnerable public spaces. Businesses, event locations, schools, and transit hubs are encouraged to install AEDs. We also provide not only the deployment of AEDs but also CPR and AED training programs for frontline staff and security personnel.At PPC Healthcare, we believe saving lives is everyone’s responsibility. The integration of AEDs and training programs into Nigeria’s public infrastructure is not just smart, it’s urgent. For more information, visit www.ppcng.com
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Africa’s largest convergence of healthcare professionals, innovators, and solution providers has landed in Lagos, and it’s already shaping up to be a game-changer. From the 18 to 20 June, all roads will lead to the Welcome Centre Hotel, Airport Road, Lagos as Afrihealth Expo 2025 brings together stakeholders from across the continent to discuss, showcase, and collaborate on sustainable healthcare innovations that will drive the future of medical care in Africa.
From high-level panel discussions to product unveilings and strategic partnerships, here are some of the key highlights of this year’s event and why it matters more than ever to be part of the conversation.
A Hub of Innovation and Technology
One of the biggest draws of Afrihealth Expo 2025 is its display of cutting-edge health technologies. From AI-powered diagnostics to portable imaging devices and smart hospital infrastructure, the exhibition halls are packed with next-generation solutions that are redefining access, quality, and efficiency in healthcare delivery.
PPC Healthcare Division, in collaboration with its global OEM partners including Vinno, Comen, Neusoft, and Cardioline, are among the standout exhibitors. With live demonstrations of advanced ultrasound systems and discussions around the integration of technology in maternal and neonatal care, PPC Healthcare is making a strong case for diagnostics as a critical driver of healthcare equity.
Conversations that Drive Policy and Practice
The event also plays host to keynotes and roundtable sessions led by policymakers, medical experts, and industry leaders. Topics such as universal health coverage, local manufacturing, health financing, and workforce development are being explored with urgency and depth, reflecting the need for holistic approaches to Africa’s healthcare challenges.
According to Dr. Chukwunonso Izechukwu, Assistant General Manager of PPC Healthcare, “Events like Afrihealth are vital, not just for showcasing technology, but for shaping the policy and collaboration frameworks that ensure innovation reaches the last mile. The conversations we’re having here are laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system.”
Networking that Translates to Impact
Beyond the sessions and booths, Afrihealth Expo is a space for meaningful connection. From cross-border partnerships to public-private collaborations, the event is a fertile ground for building relationships that turn ideas into impact.
Healthcare providers, investors, engineers, and government bodies are coming together in real time to exchange insights, forge alliances, and design solutions with the power to transform communities.
Why You Should Be at Afrihealth Expo
Whether you’re a healthcare practitioner, a policymaker, a tech innovator, or a student with a passion for public health, Afrihealth Expo 2025 is the place to be. It’s not just about seeing what’s new, it’s about being part of what’s next.
By attending, you gain access to first-hand exposure to breakthrough technologies, expert knowledge from across the continent, new opportunities for partnership and growth and a deeper understanding of the issues shaping Africa’s health future
PPC Limited, through its healthcare division, is proud to be part of this transformative event, contributing solutions, facilitating dialogue, and advocating for healthcare systems that leave no one behind
Visit the PPC Healthcare booth at Afrihealth Expo 2025 from 9.00am to 4.00pm on 18 to 20 June and be part of the movement to reimagine Africa’s healthcare story.
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