Advancing Leukemia Care and Research in East Africa: Current Challenges and Future Directions
Nabirye Sarah G.
Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda
ABSTRACT
Leukemia, encompassing a range of hematological malignancies, presents a significant health challenge in East Africa with distinct epidemiological patterns influenced by age, gender, and geography. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) predominates in children, while Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is more common in adults, especially the elderly. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) exhibit varied prevalence, with CLL being more common in older adults and CML showing lower incidence overall. Despite advancements, leukemia care in East Africa is impeded by limited diagnostic and treatment resources, socio-economic barriers, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, resulting in lower survival rates compared to high-income countries. Challenges include delayed diagnoses, limited access to advanced treatments, and poor awareness of the disease. Emerging technologies such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy, alongside improved diagnostic tools and public awareness campaigns, offer hope for transforming leukemia care. This review explores the current state of leukemia care and research in East Africa, examining the genetic and environmental risk factors, healthcare infrastructure, survival rates, and socioeconomic impacts. It also highlights the role of public awareness and education, the challenges in pediatric leukemia care, and the importance of research and policy development. Future directions include strengthening healthcare systems, enhancing regional and international collaborations, and integrating advanced technologies to improve outcomes for leukemia patients in the region. Addressing these challenges with a comprehensive approach could significantly enhance leukemia care and research, ultimately improving survival rates and quality of life for patients in East Africa.
Keywords: Leukemia Care, East Africa, Current, Challenges, Future Directions
CITE AS: Nabirye Sarah G. (2024). Advancing Leukemia Care and Research in East Africa: Current Challenges and Future Directions. IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES 9(2):41-47. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAS/2024/9.2.414700