Leading oncologists and haematologists discussed introducing a sickle cell disease (SCD) registry system in Bahrain as a means to formulate accurate SCD management protocol.

The experts shared latest global best practices in the management of the disease, providing hope for advanced treatment for patients at a conference in Bahrain, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It was supported by Novartis Oncology.

The conference saw the experts highlighting the efforts being undertaken to reduce the incidence of SCD in Bahrain and identify measures through which these efforts can be maximised.

“A SCD registry is very valuable in determining the number of patients with the disease or haemoglobin disorder in the country. It can support in national planning, identification of disease and patient pattern in a particular population. We are very keen to collaborate with GCC countries to establish the registry and compare our research at a regional scale,” said Dr Adekunle Adekile, professor and chairman, department of paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University.

Bahrain recorded 32 sickle cell deaths last year, 45 in 2012, 32 in 2011 and 35 in 2010.

According to figures, 41 patients have died from the disease so far this year. - TradeArabia News Service