Medical genetics and genomic medicine in Rwanda

Uwineza, Annette; Mutesa, Léon

doi:10.1002/mgg3.184

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

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“…South Africa has the best trained medical geneticists, genetic counselors and medical scientists and genetic services in Africa (Kromberg, Sizer, & Christianson, 2013) while other countries are yet to appreciate the genetic services in healthcare sector. In Rwanda, the department of Medical Genetics at the faculty of medicine at the National University of Rwanda was opened in 2006 and has since provided genetic services to patients from within Rwanda and the surrounding regions (Mutesa et al, 2010;Uwineza & Mutesa, 2015).…”

Section: Introduction Of New Graduate Programs In Genetics and Genomentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of genomics literacy in reducing the burden of common genetic diseases in Africa

Mboowa

Sserwadda

2019

Molec Gen & Gen Med

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Background In Africa, health practitioners and the current knowledge of the public on genetics and genomics is still very low and yet this has potential to reduce the burden of common genetic diseases. Many initiatives have promoted genomic research, infrastructure, and capacity building in Africa. What remains to be done is to improve genomics literacy among populations and communities while utilizing an array of strategies. Genomic literacy and awareness are key in the management of genetic diseases which includes diagnosis, prevention of complications and therapy. Africa is characterized by great cultural and language diversity thereby requiring a multidisciplinary approach to improving public and community genomics literacy and engagement. However, this is further complicated by having the fact that sub‐Saharan Africa is comprised of countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world. Methods We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines to review genomic literacy in Africa using PubMed database. Results We found very limited evidence of genomics literacy for genetic diseases in Africa. Conclusion We propose a number of approaches that if adopted will significantly increase the genomic literacy and reduce the burden of genetic diseases in Africa.

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Section: Introduction Of New Graduate Programs In Genetics and Genomentioning

confidence: 99%