From continental plan to country-led care: NNHF and Africa CDC launch partnership
More than 75% of the world’s babies born with sickle cell disease are born in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet many people living with sickle cell disease, as well as haemophilia and other inherited blood disorders still face gaps in diagnosis and care. Africa CDC’s new Continental Plan offers a shared roadmap for addressing those gaps (Africa CDC).
On 2 September 2026 in Dar es Salaam, the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia & Haemoglobinopathies Foundation (NNHF) and Africa CDC formally launched a partnership to help put the Plan into practice. Approved by the NNHF Council in May 2026 and co-funded with the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the partnership will support implementation in 10 countries across Africa. Its work will focus on stronger policy and governance, better data and awareness, and sustainable access to quality care, medicines and diagnostics.
The launch brought together Ministries of Health, healthcare experts and advocates from the sickle cell disease and haemophilia communities. Community representatives Dominic Seye and Shoma Kumalija spoke about the health, economic and social challenges people living with these conditions face, underscoring why implementation must reflect their needs.
Developed through consultation with Member States, experts and affected communities, the Continental Plan sets out eight pillars and a phased, ten-year path towards sustainable, country-led action. NNHF, its partners, Council Members Dr Kibet Shikuku and Prof Saliou Diop, and former Council Member Prof Johnny Mahlangu contributed to its development and validation. NNHF also supported the expansion of the Plan’s original sickle cell disease focus to include haemophilia and other inherited blood disorders.
NNHF will work with its African project partners to integrate the Plan into ongoing and future programmes, connecting continental priorities with locally led solutions.
Read the Africa CDC Continental Plan for Sickle Cell Disease and Other Inherited Blood Disorders.
