Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an important cause of <5 mortality. In Tanzania, it is estimated up to 11 000 children are born with SCD annually, making this the fifth country with the highest SCD annual births worldwide. The biggest challenge of expanding the service of newborn screening for SCD as the national health intervention in Tanzania is due to the high cost of the currently used assays and lack of rapid screening methods. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care tests for SCD diagnosis in newborns.Aim: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of HemotypeSC™ and sickle SCAN ® in diagnosing SCD in newborns.Methods: Diagnostic accuracy of HemotypeSC™ and sickle SCAN ® were evaluated in comparison to isoelectric focusing as a confirmatory method.Results: A total of 706 newborns were enrolled in the study. The sensitivity and specificity of HemotypeSC in detecting Hb SS, Hb AS and Hb AA phonotypes was 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of sickle SCAN ® in detecting Hb SS, Hb AS and Hb AA phenotypes were 100%, 97% and 100% respectively. Conclusion:Both POC tests displayed high accuracy in detecting SCD, we believe the introduction of either of these tests in health facilities will help in the early detection and management of SCD. In addition, the margin of cost per test is relatively affordable (1.

A rare disease is generally defined as a condition which affects about 1 among 2000 people and currently, there are approximately 5000–8000 rare diseases (RDs) affecting over 400 million people world-wide. Although RDs may arise from different causes such as infections and environmental factors, about 80% are caused by genetic abnormalities. In Tanzania, there are no reports of the types of RDs, their incidence, distribution and numbers of individuals affected. In addition, there have been no strategies to map RDs in the country and develop a definition that fits the local context. Public awareness and understanding of RDs are very limited, and these lead to poor management and stigmatisation of patients. To address the ongoing problems, Tanzania joined other countries world-wide and global partners to commemorate the rare diseases day (RDD) for the first time in 2016 and subsequently every year. Unlike previous years where the RDD was organised by Ali Kimara Rare Diseases Foundation (AKRDF) with few partners, in 2020, a bigger event was co-hosted by Ali AKRDF and Tanzania Human Genetics Organization together with government representatives and other multiple partners. The organisers, government representatives and participants proposed a national “Call for Action” with the overall goal of improving the lives of patients/individuals with RDs. The call focuses and aims to address 17 strategic issues that are broadly categorised into four areas. These include generating demographic data of individuals with RDs; advocating for policies and guidelines for diagnosis, care, treatment and health financing; developing policies supporting public education, awareness and advocacy; and strengthening research, innovation and public–private partnerships. If adopted and implemented, the potential impacts of these recommendations will include improved access to adequate and high-quality health and education services, and policies and guidelines to address the current and future challenges facing individuals with RDs and their families.

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Current estimates show that there are approximately 6000 - 8000 rare Diseases (RDs) which affect over 300 million people worldwide. Individually, each RD affects &lt;200,000 people mainly children because of limited survival, leaving a lifetime/life changing impact on affected individuals. Most RDs have a genetic origin, however the underlying causes and mechanisms of RDs are still largely unknown. In Tanzania, there is limited data on incidence, distribution and types of RDs. In addition, there is little awareness and understanding of RDs by the public, which has resulted in poor management and stigmatization of individuals with RDs. To address this problem, a RD day is commemorated globally every February with the aim of raising awareness among the general public and decision makers about RDs and their impacts on individuals’ lives. In addition, this platform is normally used to put emphasis on improvement and access to healthcare for affected individuals. From 2008 to 2020, the RD Day has been commemorated in more than 100 countries, initially in Europe and Canada. In Tanzania, the RD Day was first commemorated in 2016, and the most recent event was held on 29th February 2020. The later was co-hosted by the Ali Kimara Rare Diseases Foundation (AKRDF) and Tanzania Society of Human Genetics (TSHG). The event was graced by the Hon. Dr. Hamis Kigwangala Minister of tourism and natural resources who represented the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania as the Guest of Honour; and was attended by different high-level Government officials, representatives of cooperates, academia, civil society, and individuals with RDs and their families. The organizers and other stakeholders utilized the event to advocate for policies and interventions to address the challenges facing individuals and children with RDs. This paper documents highlights and presents the proposed call for actions of the 2020 RD day in Tanzania, with the overall goal of improved lives of patients and their families through increased access to adequate and high-quality health services and the development of appropriate policies.