Sickle Cell In Focus Conference 2024

Sickle Cell in Focus is a world-class two-day annual conference which is geared towards providing the latest updates on areas of current interest to the global sickle cell disease (SCD) community. The conference is in its 17th year but for the last eight years the Sickle Cell Unit (SCU) of CAIHR has been collaborating with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes for Health (NIH) in delivering the conference. The event was held online and in-person September 19 - 20, 2024 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

In attendance were the Scientific Co-Chairs from the SCU, Professors Monika Asnani and Jennifer Knight-Madden, and the NHLBI Co-Chairs Drs Swee Lay Thein and John Tisdale. Prof Minerva Thame, Dean of Faculty of Medical Science (FMS), UWI; Prof Marshall Tulloch-Reid, Director, CAIHR; and Rear Admiral Dr Richard Childs, Scientific Director, NHLBI brought opening remarks on the two days.

Sickle Cell Booth showcasing a variety of information on Sickle Cell Disease

 

The conference was successfully staged and well received with more than 70 in-person and over 350 online attendees including several UWI academics participating on each day. More than 20 international speakers provided a world-class educational update on sickle cell disease.

This year’s focus was on newborn screening for SCD; complexities of common complications in SCD such as pain management, sleep and reproductive health; curative therapies and disease- modifying treatments for SCD; and ongoing challenges in the management of SCD.

One of the key highlights was a panel discussion on where we are headed in the treatment of SCD, which included perspectives from both clinicians and patients. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to not only learn from renowned experts, but to also participate in engaging discussions, and network with fellow attendees.