January 26-28, 2009
A Symposium and Workshop on Global Paediatric Research in Sickle Cell Disease, Cotonou, Benin
Chaired by Alvin Zipursky (Canada), Isaac Odame (Canada), Cherif Rahimy (Benin), the symposium had as its theme "Advancing Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)Patient Care through Global Research"
The symposium was attended by participants from all continents, but particularly from Africa, North America and Europe
It opened with the inauguration of the Expanded National SCD Centre followed by plenary and group sessions
It examined multiple problems related to the delivery of SCD care specific for the African region that included the natural history of the disease in Africa, neonatal screening programs including education, counseling and management, infectious diseases including malaria and bacterial infections and their effect on outcome. Hydroxyurea therapy was also discussed
Specific issues surrounding potential solutions were examined and focused on the needs in clinical care and research in the region and the steps necessary to meet those needs together and the role of governments
It was recommended that a book of Proceedings should be published as soon as possible
A follow-up meeting of the Network was scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana in July 2010
