Ghana: Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19

opinion

"What do I need to do (or know) as a person with Sickle cell disease?" The enquirer is health care student. In response I came across nice piece written by Nitin et al published in the Pan African Medical Journal (Vol 36, May -Aug 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified sickle cell disease (SCD) as a major concern of public health significance. It has been estimated that around 5% of the global population carry Sickle Cell Trait genes. About two-thirds of the sickle cell disease patients of the global burden reside in sub-Saharan Africa. COVID-19 Pandemic caused by Corona virus 2 (SARS COV2) is having a devastating effect on socioeconomic and health indicators in counties worldwide. The additional financial burden of supporting health care management system in tackling COVID-19 impact at the same time preventing mortality rate of COVID-19 deaths is a matter of great concern to all.

The pathogenesis of the sickle cell disease is attributed to the polymerization of the deoxygenated haemoglobin S(HbS). The polymerization leads to alteration in the normal biconcave shape of the red blood cells making them rigid and more prone for intravascular haemolysis. As a consequence of repeated hypoxia driven polymerization of HbS there is development of cyclic cascade leading to blood cell adhesion, vaso-occlusive crisis and ischaemic reperfusion injury. SCD patients may develop complications such as Acute Chest Syndrome, pulmonary embolism and stroke

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