African Sickle Cell Data Hub
Official title: Sickle Africa Data Coordinating Center
Funded at University of Cape Town · NIH-11084302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project runs a data hub to help researchers and clinics improve care for people with sickle cell disease in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project start | April 1, 2017 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $952,640 |
| NIH project number | 5U24HL135600-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People of any age with sickle cell disease, including newborns identified through screening, who receive care at participating hospitals or clinics in sub‑Saharan Africa are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without sickle cell disease, those living outside participating countries, or patients treated at non‑participating clinics are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project continues a data coordinating center that supports a network of clinics and researchers in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania who care for people with sickle cell disease. It collects and links patient records, newborn screening results, and research measurements so doctors can spot problems earlier and test better treatments. The center also standardizes how information is recorded, trains local staff, and provides tools to run future clinical and epidemiological studies. By coordinating data and activities across sites, the project helps hospitals in the region work together and share findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could speed research and help reduce early deaths and complications from sickle cell disease across sub‑Saharan Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Newborn screening and coordinated care programs in high‑income countries have greatly reduced childhood deaths from sickle cell disease, and prior SPARCo/SADaCC work has begun building similar capacity in Africa.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wonkam, Ambroise — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Wonkam, Ambroise
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.