Our first pain management hub (PMH) in sub-Sahara Africa is located at the University College Hospital, Ibadan (UCH) - the flagship tertiary healthcare institution in Nigeria. Advocacy and public health policy reforms is a key area of focus for the foundation, hence the venture into rapid point of care SCD testing for new-born in low resource regions.
Amoke embarked on a project to supply equipment and distribute a tried and tested drug intervention covering three regions of the country.
Transcranial doppler (TDC) machines - by partnering with Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), a stroke prevention programme covering three states (Ondo, Ekiti & Kogi) began. Upon the acquisition of the TCD machine during the year click here - sonography training for physicians and technicians commenced and a research program is currently being designed. The project made some traction during the year and it remains a free service benefiting 5 states in the region. Initial results were promising, and the necessary therapy commenced for high-risk patients.
Hydroxyurea - our aim to drive best practice to halt progression of the debilitating effect of SCD. Its use is shown to reduce the vaso-occlusive crises, stroke, infections, malaria, transfusions, and death in children with SCD. AF has provided Hydroxy FOC for patients at the PMH @ UCH and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH).
AF will focus on the following areas in 2024.
A pilot SCD screening exercise was conducted in Nov for children at a local orphanage with an encouraging outcome. The plan is to expand the exercise and explore more cost-effective options in the future.
Direct Fundraising - AF has identified a couple of our patients who will benefit from urgent hip replacement surgeries due to complications from SCD referred to medically as Avascular Necrosis. The request for medical assistance.
Implementation Research - Amoke is engaged in evaluating the implementation strategies used to improve the uptake and sustainability of SCD prevention programs in SCD. The aim is to improve understanding in how to scale up and evaluate new and existing programs and use them to overcome barriers to treatment and prevention of vaso-occlusive crisis in SCD patients. The challenge is to ensure that patients who could benefit from these outcomes, actually receive them.