Also this year ARISE supported The Annual Scientific Conference on Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia – ASCAT 2020, that was held from 26th to 31st October in close collaboration with the European Heamatology Association(EHA) and the British Society of Haematology (BSH). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic an online virtual programme of events was held with a face to face element in the final days.

This year’s conference may in time turn out to provide a new and improved forum to come together to share best practice and develop strategies for the future. The theme is ‘Haemoglobinopathies: Emerging Challenges and Future Therapies’, that reflects the rapid progress in research for new drug therapies and curative therapies. A number of FDA approvals and other national approval process are at different stages.

Considering that the majority of patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia live in low resource settings, these new therapies may not be readily accessible or affordable. Therefore, our attention needs to be refocused to improve newborn screening and comprehensive care, hydroxyurea therapy, blood transfusion and effective iron chelation.

Discover more about the conference programme here below:

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6.

Here following the closing remarks from Professor Baba Inusa, founder of the ASCAT Conference.