Why and How Should Ethiopia Establish a Stem Cell Transplant Service? A Review Article

Abstract

Ethiopia is attempting to reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality through a strategic national cancer control plan but according to Globocan 2020, hematologic malignancies particularly leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma rank among the top five leading causes of new cancer incidence and cause of death among all age groups in both sexes. Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is an advanced treatment modality that makes the only effective treatment for cancer and non-cancer-related hematologic diseases unresponsive to conventional therapy. Patients who need stem cell transplants must travel to abroad countries to get the treatment. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian National Specialty and Subspecialty Roadmap sets the goal of establishing HSCT centers in 2020-2029 GC, yet leaders and planners must start taking steps to put the setup in place. Setting up an HSCT facility is challenging for developing countries due to the high costs, limited infrastructure, and need for intensive medical staff training; however, several nations have been able to start successful stem cell transplant programs. This review summarizes the basic steps and requirements of the program in light of guidelines recommendations and lessons learned from other developing countries. It also highlights possible cost-effective opportunities, bottlenecks, and areas that will require work and investment to make the objective reality in Ethiopia.Provides key information to assist administrators and policymakers to set priorities in planning and making informed decisions to establish and maintain the service.

Empowering sickle cell disease care: the rise of TechnoRehabLab in Sub-Saharan Africa for enhanced patient's perspectives

“…However, over the last two decades there have been several initiatives that have led to an improvement in the provision of care for sickle cell patients. In Nigeria and Tanzania, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation units are operational to offer patients the possibility of curative treatment at an affordable cost to stem the burden of the disease, the cumulative cost of non-curative treatments of which is enormous in this context of scarce resources ( 10 – 12 ) and Ethiopia plans to have it by 2029 ( 13 ). These ambitious initiatives are certainly commendable, but they would not immediately apply to the largest number of sickle cell patients in Sub-Saharan Africa.…”