The Ministry of Health formalized an agreement on Thursday (the 1st) worth R$ 3.18 million intended for the modernization of a ward at HC Criança in Ribeirão Preto (SP). This agreement aims to increase the capacity for pediatric bone marrow transplants from two to seven, focusing on children diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
Fabíola Traina, technical-scientific director of the Ribeirão Preto Hemocenter Foundation (Fundherp), reported that there are 30 patients with the condition who already have a compatible donor and are ready for the procedure but are awaiting bed availability. Currently, pediatric transplants for sickle cell disease are postponed because existing slots are used for leukemia cases and other oncological emergencies.
The renovation plans have already been approved, and it is expected that implementation will begin in less than twelve months after the financial resources are released. The agreement was signed during the visit of the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, to the Ribeirão Preto Hemocenter, with Caixa responsible for monitoring its execution.
The minister highlighted that this new center will become a national and state reference in the treatment of the disease, in addition to contributing to professional training and technological development. He emphasized that Brazil has one of the largest populations affected by the disease outside the African continent, stating that the procedure can offer a therapy capable of curing sickle cell anemia for many families.
Waiting for a Bed
Currently, HC has two beds for bone marrow transplants with donors in children and three for adults. Children with sickle cell disease end up undergoing the procedure in the adult hospital, competing for spots with blood cancer patients. Fabíola mentioned that demand tends to increase, given that the regulations allowing transplantation for this disease in the SUS are recent, and doctors are still in the process of correctly identifying eligible patients.
What the Center Will Be Like
The new structure will be named the Advanced Therapies Center for Sickle Cell Disease and will be implemented in an existing ward at HC Criança, which is linked to the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto at USP, characterizing it as a renovation and not a new construction. According to the project presented by Fabíola, the area will feature five rooms equipped with positive pressure for transplanted patients and three isolation rooms, ensuring air filtration due to these patients' low immunity. The rooms will also have constant monitoring and space for companions.
The initial forecast is to allocate two beds exclusively for sickle cell disease. Considering that each patient stays hospitalized for an average of two months, this would allow for about 12 annual transplants, provided the service is public and free. Although the complete project, including equipment, was budgeted at R$ 6 million, the amount of the agreement with the ministry is specifically for the renovation. The director emphasized that this increase in beds will bring flexibility, preventing sickle cell disease patients from being in the same emergency queue as oncological patients, while recognizing the importance of all care.
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease, which includes sickle cell anemia, is hereditary in nature and causes red blood cells to take a sickle shape, which compromises circulation and can result in organ damage. The minister pointed out that the condition predominantly affects the Black population, causing recurrent infections, orthopedic problems, and growth difficulties in children and adolescents.
Fabíola detailed that complications can affect all body systems, with stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident - AVC) being the most serious complication. The data presented indicates an average life expectancy of 36 years for individuals with the disease. For the director, bone marrow transplant currently represents the only curative therapy available in Brazil. When performed in childhood, the procedure prevents the worsening of lesions before they cause sequelae, protecting against stroke, reducing hospitalizations, and eliminating the need for frequent transfusions, especially when performed with related donors.