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SickleInAfrica

The SickleInAfrica consortium aims to facilitate research in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and the subsequent translation of this research into healthcare and health outcomes. SickleInAfrica is made up of three initiatives : Sickle Africa Data Coordinating Center (SADaCC), Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO) and Sickle Cell Pan African Network (SPAN).

SPARCO: Multinational consortium which is coordinated from a hub at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science. SPARCO aims to develop research capacity for SCD through a multidimensional approach which addresses infrastructure, education & training, provision of longitudinal research data and the translation of research into practise.

SADaCC: An administrative, data standardization and coordinating center for Sickle Cell Disease research and infrastructure needs. Its current mandate is to focus on supporting and coordinating data and communications for a partner research network, SPARCO with plans to expand this support to research groups within SPAN in the future.

  • Vision   
    Decreased prevalence, mortality and morbidity rates of SCD and improved quality of care and life for SCD patients through use of evidence-based decisions.
  • Mission   
    SADaCC’s mandate is to support, enhance and coordinate SPARCO communications and data relevant issues, with future plans aimed at being a global SCD data standards and coordinating center.
  • Conceptual Framework   
    SADaCC has a core team of staff and consultancies which has a range of expertise which includes Bioinformatics, Software development, Clinical Research, Databasing, Epidemiology, Bioethics and Training. SADaCC has a core team of staff and consultancies which has a range of expertise which includes Bioinformatics, Software development, Clinical Research, Databasing, Epidemiology, Bioethics and Training. Coordination of communications, infrastructure support and training for SPARCO is done collaboratively with the SPARCO Hub through six working groups made up SPARCO, SADaCC, Funders and SPAN members. These include: Data Management, Research, Standards of Care, Sickle Cell Disease Ontology, Skills Development and the Steering Committee.

SPAN: A network of researchers, clinicians, funders and centers working in SCD which aims foster research and infrastructure development.