CAMPAIGNERS have described a drop in the number of sickle cell anaemia-connected deaths in Bahrain this year as “highly encouraging”.

For the first time in eight years, no deaths were recorded by the Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care in April – with just six deaths attributed to the hereditary blood disorder from January until the start of June.

This compares with 26 deaths over the same period last year – and 46 deaths in the whole of 2014.

“Since 2009, we have had at least one death every April with a maximum of five deaths during that month in 2013 and 2014 – meaning zero deaths this April is an achievement,” society president Zakreya Al Kadhem told the GDN.

“The figures during the first five months of this year definitely show a decline in the number of deaths, which is highly encouraging.

“We lost 26 precious lives last year during the same time period, up until June 2, whereas we have only had six deaths this year up until now.

“Let’s hope that the death toll drops further – we owe much to the Health Ministry team and the society volunteers whose efforts by way of spreading awareness and being more co-operative have helped our community much in tackling this painful condition.”

Meanwhile, Mr Al Kadhem warned sickle cell sufferers to take care over the summer months and during the fasting period of Ramadan.

“We are happy that the number of deaths has decreased, but I would say that it is too early to get a true picture because during the summer months complications are always on the rise,” he said.

“Even the figures for previous years suggest that the summer months can be risky – especially August, when the most deaths have been recorded in the past and hence we need to be careful.

“Dehydration poses the biggest risk during the hotter months, in addition to fasting during Ramadan which can complicate underlying health conditions.”

Twenty-seven out of last year’s 46 deaths were recorded during the summer months, Mr Al Kadhem added.

Health Minister Sadiq Al Shehabi said that he hoped for further reductions in the number of deaths related to sickle cell.

“An integrated team at the haematology centre in Salmaniya Medical Complex is assigned to attend to every patient,” he told the GDN.

“There is also an electronic network that co-ordinates among hospital and primary health centres, which gives an update of the patient on
every follow-up visit.

“We are implementing the recommendations and expert advice from The Johns Hopkins Hospital Sickle Cell Infusion Centre for Adults team, who visited Bahrain in January, for the benefit of patients.”

The GDN reported last week that the ministry had announced plans to make Hydroxyurea, a drug that can drastically reduce sickle cell anaemia complications, available in all of Bahrain’s health centres.

The move comes in line with the recommendations of the Johns Hopkins’ team, who visited the Hereditary Blood Disorder Centre, interviewed patients, medical staff and volunteers and subsequently submitted a set of recommendations on how Bahrain can improve care for sickle cell sufferers.

Forty-six sickle cell-related deaths were recorded last year – 28 males and 18 females.

This compares with 32 deaths in 2013, 47 in 2012, 32 in 2011, 35 in 2010, and 25 in 2009.

raji@gdn.com.bh