This Week in Sickle Cell News January 12th to the 18th

By Sean Marshall
New statistics out of India over the weekend prove sickle cell anemia is still present and still a treat. According to an article found in The Times of India there is “a 26 point decline in maternal mortality rate over the last four years.” However the article also references that areas where there are still large rates of mortality is caused by sickle cell.

According to the article the study of MMR (maternal mortality rates) was taken in the Indian region of Navasari where according to Health Office Dr. M. T. Charri “Anemia is one problem that we have been fighting since long. The region has high numbers numbers of sickle cell anemia patients.” The cause of all this is “the lack of training of health staff members as well as low numbers at primary health facilities.”

Other important aspects of the article was the fact that maternal mortality rates, which is often caused by sickle cell, is “the leading cause of death to women who die of pregnancy related causes.” What makes the article so important is that it is based off of a country wide study. This means that India is now fully aware of the problems caused by sickle cell and can now hopefully take action.

If you would like to read the article for yourself you can find it here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/State-records-steady-slide-in-maternal-mortality/articleshow/45842131.cms




A magazine out of Bermuda has reported that a bone marrow transplant between two sisters may have cured sickle cell. The Royal Gazette has reported that Aquilah Salaam a long time sufferer of sickle cell disease has been cured from the bone marrow of her sister Siddeeqah Ray.

Both women were in the hospital on the 18th of November, the bone marrow transplant was done on the 19th but it wasn't until the Christmas eve when Saleem was completely cured.

The article as a whole mainly covered the life of Saleem before and after her transplant. Despite it being very moving it didn’t supply any details involving the pressurizer itself. None the less it is good to know there are those who have overcome sickle cell. Give it a read you won't regret it.




If you would like to read the full article you can find it here: http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20150114/ISLAND18/150119885


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