The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a multifaceted intervention composed of Gazelle-Multispectral sickle cell disease (SCD) point of care testing (POCT) and early initiation of comprehensive SCD care in children with SCD disease aged 0 - 6 months can improve their clinical outcomes.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does the intervention lower the number of SCD-related illnesses?
* Does the intervention lower the illness incidence defined as seeking health care at any health facility - with or without treatment - for any episode related to a SCD related illness?
* Does the intervention lower all-cause death rate (at the end of 1, 2, 3 and 3.5 years of follow-up)?
Researchers will compare the multifaceted intervention results with those of historical data (based on erratic SCD testing and treatment) from the region.
Participants will undergo a SCD screening test using the Gazelle Multispectral platform and if positive they will undergo confirmatory testing with HemoTypeSC™. Participants with SCD will receive early comprehensive clinical interventions i.e. standard administration of antibacterial and antimalarial prophylaxis, vaccinations for pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hydroxyurea, parental education about the need for regular and, if necessary, urgent medical care.