Chukwudi Agu

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major health burden in Africa, with high child mortality and limited treatment options. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can cure SCD but is inaccessible due to high costs and limited donors. Emerging gene therapies like CRISPR-Cas9 offer one-time cures using the patient’s own cells, removing donor dependence. Key challenges include affordability, poor infrastructure, lack of regulation and limited access to genetic testing.