Two new open-access courses will be launched to address a gap in training tools for nutrition and sickle cell disease for practitioners working in Kenya and Uganda.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common monogenetic diseases globally. Each year, an estimated 500,000 babies are born with SCD which can lead to complications such as acute pain episodes, stroke, sepsis, organ damage, and premature death. More than 75% of babies born with SCD are in sub-Saharan Africa and there is a significant burden of disease in Kenya and Uganda.
Childhood malnutrition is the leading cause of under-five mortality and morbidity globally, and wasting and stunting are the most common forms of undernutrition. The East Africa region has a significant prevalence of wasting and holds the largest population of stunted children across the African continent.
To address a critical gap in training for healthcare workers to address these conditions, the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health (C-GCH) has partnered with the Adventist Development Relief Agency Canada (ADRA Canada) and the WCEA to provide in-service training as part of the TOGETHER project which is funded by Global Affairs Canada. The online courses will provide concepts and practical skills for healthcare workers on the assessment and clinical management of both sickle cell disease and malnutrition.
The two courses to be launched under the initiative are:
- Sickle Cell Disease: This course provides a foundation on the genetics of SCD and covers topics including screening and diagnosis, clinical management and supporting patients and families through counselling and ongoing support.
- Nutrition: This course covers foundational concepts in nutrition and provides practical instruction on assessing for and managing malnutrition. The course also examines nutritional concepts and care for adolescents and women of reproductive age, acknowledging the life-course relevance of nutrition.
The courses were adapted and designed for in-service healthcare workers based in Kenya and Uganda to address locally identified needs and to align with national training priorities. By offering these courses on the WCEA portal, a broad range of health care providers can increase their capacity to provide SCD management and nutrition care for children.
