UNC Sickle Cell Care in Malawi

UNC Project Malawi features a robust sickle cell clinic which follows 2400 children and adults living with sickle cell disease. Established in 1999 through a collaboration with UNC, Baylor and Malawi Ministry of Health, patients are seen at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH). While sickle cell patients commonly live well into adulthood in the USA, it remains a disease of childhood in many developing countries. Thoughtful work in the Malawi Sickle Cell Clinic and access to lifesaving treatment and medication, like hydroxyurea, we’ve seen improvements in quality of life and life expectancy.  Luke Eastburg, MD, Fogarty Fellow and UNC hematology fellow, is currently on the ground providing clinical care to patients and piloting the use of Transcranial Ultrasound for stroke prevention.