Dr. Maureen Achebe: Advancing Sickle Cell Care, Health Equity in Africa
Dr. Maureen Okam Achebe is a leading haematologist, researcher and educator whose work is shaping the future of sickle cell disease care, iron deficiency treatment and health equity worldwide. She is Clinical Director of Hematology Services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine and Global Health Equity at Harvard Medical School. A graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Yale School of Medicine and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Achebe specialises in sickle cell disease, iron deficiency and equitable healthcare delivery. She directs the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre, overseeing the care of more than 200 adults living with the condition while leading clinical research and trials. Beyond her clinical work, she collaborates with the American Society of Hematology to expand haematology care globally, supports newborn screening initiatives for sickle cell disease across seven African countries through the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA), and serves as Associate Director for Sickle Cell Disease Integration in the World Health Organisation’s PEN Plus programme. In this interview, amongst other things, she shares more on the future of sickle cell care across Africa. Chiemelie Ezeobi brings excerpts
