Kampala, Uganda — African Union Member States have validated a landmark continental plan aimed at strengthening the continent's response to sickle cell disease and other inherited blood disorders, marking a major step toward expanding equitable access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.
Convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in collaboration with Uganda's Ministry of Health, the three-day Technical Review and Validation Meeting brought together representatives from 50 African Union Member States, regional institutions, civil society organisations, patient advocacy groups, technical experts and development partners.
Africa carries the highest global burden of sickle cell disease, yet access to early diagnosis, comprehensive care and essential medicines remains limited in many settings. Validation of the continental plan represents a historic milestone in advancing a coordinated, sustainable and people-centred response to inherited blood disorders across Africa.
Sickle Cell Disease and other inherited blood disorders are conditions passed from parents to children that affect the blood and can cause pain, tiredness, infections and other health problems. Examples include sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and haemophilia.
The continental plan provides a comprehensive framework to strengthen newborn screening, early diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, financing, advocacy, local production of health commodities, research and integrated care systems. It seeks to support countries in integrating inherited blood disorders into primary healthcare systems and broader national health priorities, while advancing universal health coverage, resilient health systems, and the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda.
Opening the meeting, Uganda's Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, underscored the urgency of translating political commitments into practical action to improve access to screening, diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive care for affected individuals and families across the continent. She called for strengthened continental solidarity and sustained investments to address inherited blood disorders as a public health priority.
Participants at the meeting reviewed and validated the plan's strategic priorities, governance structures, implementation framework and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Technical discussions and stakeholder consultations helped build consensus on key interventions and implementation pathways to accelerate action at continental, regional and national levels.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of community engagement and lived experience in shaping sustainable responses.
Dr Mohammed Abdulaziz, Africa CDC's Head of the Division of Disease Control and Prevention, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to supporting Member States in operationalising the continental plan and strengthening integrated health systems for inherited blood disorders across the continent. "This continental plan provides a foundation for more coordinated, equitable and sustainable action on sickle cell disease and inherited blood disorders across Africa," Dr Abdulaziz said.
The meeting brought together key regional and global partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the West African Health Organization (WAHO), Texas Children's Global HOPE, the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia and Haemoglobinopathies Foundation.
Africa CDC acknowledged the partnership and support of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia and Haemoglobinopathies Foundation in convening the meeting and supporting the development of the continental plan.
As a next step, Africa CDC will work closely with African Union Member States, regional institutions, partners and communities to accelerate implementation and improve equitable access to quality prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services for inherited blood disorders across Africa.
