Congress overview
A global gathering in Abuja
The 5th Global Congress on Sickle Cell Disease took place from 3 to 6 June 2025 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Nigeria. Organised by the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network and hosted by the Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria, the congress brought together an international community around sickle cell disease research and care.
The closing report records 498 attendees across six delegate categories and representation from 42 countries. Participants included clinicians, researchers, students, nurses, patients, advocacy organisations and industry representatives.
Scientific exchange
A panel of 27 reviewers assessed 135 abstract submissions. Of these, 100 were accepted as posters and 12 as oral presentations; 23 were not accepted.
The oral presentations covered newborn and point-of-care screening, workforce capacity, hydroxyurea dosing, nursing collaboration, air quality and pain, red blood cell biology, transition to adult care, clinical trial participation and the burden of disease in young children.
Congress leadership
Congress co-chairs: Professor Isaac Odame (Canada) and Professor Obiageli E. Nnodu (Nigeria).
Scientific committee: chaired by Professor Kenneth Ataga, with Professor Leon Tshilolo as co-chair. Fundraising, logistics, publicity and welfare committees supported the meeting, with Anderes Fourdy Events as professional congress organiser.
The full closing report includes the committee and reviewer lists, registration summary, country representation, oral presentation titles, and sponsor acknowledgements.
