Empowering newborn screening programs in African countries through establishment of an international collaborative effort

Abstract

In an effort to explore new knowledge and to develop meaningful collaborations for improving child health, the First Pan African Workshop on Newborn Screening was convened in June 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. Participants included an informal network of newborn screening stakeholders from across Africa and global experts in newborn screening and sickle cell disease. Over 150 attendees, representing 20 countries, were present including 11 African countries. The agenda focused on newborn screening rationale, techniques, system development, implementation barriers, ongoing research, and collaborations both globally and across Africa. We provide an overview of the workshop and a description of the newborn screening activities in the 11 African countries represented at the workshop, with a focus on sickle cell disease.

Correlates of child functional difficulties status in Ghana: A further analysis of the 2017/18 multiple indicator cluster survey

“…Nevertheless, it is possible that children of mothers who had functional difficulties experience some childhood neglect due to their mothers' incapacities thereby creating the social context for the development of a disability or functional difficulty if not of genetic origin. This finding nevertheless encourages the practice and establishment of free screening for newborn babies and comprehensive data collection of family history at all health facilities across Ghana to ensure the early detection of a disability and quick intervention implementation ( Therrell et al., 2020 ).…”

Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Using Pulse Oximetry: Value and Unique Challenges in Developing Regions

“…Newborn screening initiatives, such as screening for CCHD using pulse oximetry, become increasing public health priorities in low and middle SDI countries as infant mortality rates (IMR) decreases [ 10 ]. The overall goal of the conference was to focus on topics specific to Africa and the MENA region where sustainable implementation is a difficult, but worthwhile, goal as congenital disorders are a growing concern in infant and newborn morbidity.…”

“…The overall goal of the conference was to focus on topics specific to Africa and the MENA region where sustainable implementation is a difficult, but worthwhile, goal as congenital disorders are a growing concern in infant and newborn morbidity. This is particularly true as 40 of the 50 countries with the highest fertility rates are in Africa [ 10 ]. Additionally, the MENA region is associated with large family sizes and high levels of consanguinity [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…This is particularly true as 40 of the 50 countries with the highest fertility rates are in Africa [ 10 ]. Additionally, the MENA region is associated with large family sizes and high levels of consanguinity [ 10 , 11 ]. Factors, including providing participants a venue to discuss, learn from international experts, and discover opportunities (based on recent advances in research and technology), were interwoven with providing a platform in which to discuss common challenges and share updates on implementation and successful intervention programs.…”

“…Factors, including providing participants a venue to discuss, learn from international experts, and discover opportunities (based on recent advances in research and technology), were interwoven with providing a platform in which to discuss common challenges and share updates on implementation and successful intervention programs. Identification of enabling factors leading to successful and sustainable newborn screening programs included the need for governmental prioritization, sustainable funding, public acceptance, medical and health professional, as well as stakeholder coordination and promotion (Conference website: ) [ 10 ].…”