From Burden to Breakthrough: Financing Africa’s IMARA Framework For Sickle Cell Disease

Terumo BCT, World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease, and the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) are pleased to host a high-level roundtable discussion on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly to identify actionable pathways for investment and partnership. Many governments have identified blood systems and Sickle Cell Disease care as national priorities but continue to face barriers translating policy commitments into operational programs.

In 2025, Terumo BCT signed memoranda of understanding with partners in Kenya, Uganda and Côte d’Ivoire to support the development and implementation of comprehensive national approaches to sickle cell disease care. In June 2026, the Imara Framework was formally launched in Kenya and Uganda, with work to advance implementation in Côte d’Ivoire also underway. Together, these milestones demonstrate growing country ownership and provide a foundation for broader implementation and scale-up of the framework across the region. The Imara Framework addresses this challenge by offering a coordinated approach that translates policy ambition into investable, country-owned action.

To register your interest, please reach out to BCIU’s life sciences team at [email protected].