Novo Nordisk and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) have announced a three-year partnership aimed at supporting the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA) Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative. This initiative will be implemented in seven countries across sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
The collaboration’s primary goal is to showcase how training CHWs in sickle cell disease (SCD) diagnosis, education, and care coordination can significantly enhance patient outcomes. By improving access to care in remote areas, the initiative aims to reduce health inequities, improve care retention, and help children with SCD live longer, healthier lives.
Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects populations in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 75% of global SCD births occurring in this region. Since its inception in 2018, CONSA has screened over 140,000 newborns for SCD. However, a significant challenge remains: a drop in follow-up care after initial diagnoses. Barriers such as lack of awareness, stigma, and long distances to healthcare centers with appropriate resources further complicate care.
Through this partnership, Novo Nordisk and ASH aim to work with local and national governments in sub-Saharan Africa to tackle these barriers. The initiative will increase follow-up care, reduce complications through early intervention, and promote equity in care access. In addition, Novo Nordisk is collaborating with reach52, a social enterprise with an extensive network of digital health workers, to launch SCD awareness campaigns across three counties in Kenya—Siaya, Homabay, and Kisumu. These campaigns will encourage local communities to engage in health-seeking behaviors and help reduce stigma surrounding SCD.
“Too many children and families in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to necessary sickle cell disease care. This initiative allows us to build on ASH’s newborn screening efforts by improving access to consistent care, providing education, and empowering families with trusted healthcare professionals,” said Belinda R. Avalos, MD, President of ASH. “We’re excited to partner with Novo Nordisk, an organization committed to advancing sickle cell care in underserved communities.”
The CONSA consortium currently operates in 11 clinical catchment areas across Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Each region will begin by training five CHWs, who will receive two annual grants to support critical activities. In the second and third years of the initiative, Nurse Coordinator CHW summits will foster cross-country collaboration, allowing healthcare professionals to exchange ideas and improve SCD care throughout Africa.
Vinay Ransiwal, Novo Nordisk’s General Manager for Middle Africa, highlighted the importance of supporting local healthcare providers in the fight against SCD. “With over 515,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in sub-Saharan Africa, and a global shortage of primary care providers, it is crucial to empower nurses and community health workers to close the care gap,” he said. “As part of our sustainable iCARE strategy, we are dedicated to working closely with the SCD community to enhance care access and build the capacity needed to improve both short- and long-term health outcomes.”
This partnership with CONSA and reach52 is part of Novo Nordisk’s broader commitment to advancing comprehensive care for SCD, empowering local healthcare professionals, and improving health outcomes for patients across Africa.
