Sickle Cell Disease and Bone Marrow Transplant in Tanzania

Sickle cell disease is most prevalent in Africa. However, there aren’t many significant, comprehensive studies that give accurate descriptions of the illness spectrum. More than 11,000 kids in Tanzania are born with sickle cell disease each year. A genetic abnormality of the red blood cell’s hemoglobin molecule known as sickle cell disease is linked to significant consequences and a shorter life span. Sickle cell disease is thought to be responsible for 7% of all causes of mortality in children under the age of five in Tanzania, where it is a significant cause of under-five mortality. Between 50% and 75% of SCD-born children in Tanzania pass away before turning five. In this article, you will read about Sickle Cell Disease in Tanzania and the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease using a Bone Marrow Transplant.

Bone Marrow Transplant cost for Sickle Cell Anemia in Tanzania

In Tanzania, a bone marrow transplant for the treatment of sickle cell disease costs between $54,500 and $74,000.

Treatment Options Available for Sickle Cell Disease in Tanzania

Bone marrow transplant is the most effective treatment for sickle cell disease. These transplants are often only performed on children with severe sickle cell disease since they are risky and can have substantial side effects. The bone marrow must be a close match for the transplant to be successful. 

There are treatments that can decrease problems, lessen symptoms, and lengthen life:

• Preventing infections in younger children with antibiotics
• Painkillers for both acute and persistent pain
• Several SCD problems are lessened or prevented by the drug hydroxyurea. It raises the blood’s concentration of fetal hemoglobin. Not everyone should take this medication; see your doctor about whether you should. Pregnancy is not a safe time to use this medication.
• Vaccines for children to avoid illnesses

Tanzanian Government Objectives for Sickle Cell Disease Treatment

Tanzania has developed guidelines for the care and control of sickle cell disease to raise awareness about the need for such measures. The objectives of such programs and conferences are:

The government is making programs to increase local capacity for adequately diagnosing and treating infants born with SCD in northwest Tanzania.

They estimate the incidence of sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) by district and area in northwest Tanzania.

The research centers investigate the connections between HIV, malaria, SCD, and SCT.

Initiatives for Sickle Cell Disease by the Tanzanian Government

The Sickle Cell Programme collaborated with the Ministry of Health to establish guidelines for comprehensive care at various levels of healthcare as part of the healthcare plan. However, factors like advancements, improved transplantation outcomes, a rise in demand, and investments in tertiary healthcare facilities expedited the need to create a strategy for curative care. Tanzania is looking into offering transplant services in four tertiary referral hospitals and utilizing advancements in African genomic research to participate in gene therapy. The country has created formal programs, ongoing medical education, staff exchange programs with many partners, including the UK and USA, and training for health workers.

Tanzania has highlighted the necessity for these initiatives to supplement comprehensive care and has shown progress in building a strategy for curative therapies for SCD in Africa. The establishment of curative treatments in Tanzania and other African nations can be accomplished using a strategy that has been successful in Tanzania and incorporates health, advocacy, research, and training.

 1st Bone Marrow Transplant to treat Sickle cell Disease in MUHIMBILI National Hospital

After successfully injecting healthy blood-forming stem cells into five patients, MUHIMBILI National Hospital is planning to perform bone marrow transplants on six additional patients per month.

The excellent news was shared by MUHIMBILI National Hospital Executive Director Prof. Lawrence Museru as the national referral hospital released the first five patients who received successful bone marrow transplants.

The achievement is a first for Eastern and Central Africa and was made possible by the government’s initiatives to bring specialized healthcare closer to the populace.

Success Rate of Bone Marrow Transplant for Sickle Cell Disease Treatment in Tanzania

Surprisingly, bone marrow or stem cell transplants have a 90% success rate. There is excellent evidence that patients are delighted with their transplant care. In treating sickle cell disease, bone marrow transplantation has yielded promising outcomes. The life expectancy is also higher. People who receive transplants have a life expectancy of 5 to 15 years.

FAQs on Sickle Cell Disease Treatment using Bone Marrow transplant in Tanzania