Alex Osei-Akoto
Malaria Research and Control: A Systematic Review of Published Papers highlights advancements in understanding malaria resistance mechanisms, particularly two novel loci for severe malaria in Ghanaian children. The research also explores the efficacy of vaccines such as RTS,S/AS02D and RTS,S/AS01E, emphasizing personalized approaches to treatment schedules in children. Additionally, studies examine the role of von Willebrand factor propeptide in endothelial cell activation and the diagnostic significance of capillary refill time. Child Nutrition and Water Access: The findings emphasize severe undernutrition among Ghanaian children, with a focus on chronic conditions like asymptomatic malaria and poverty-related health crises. Research highlights the link between water scarcity and complications such as heart failure and metabolic disturbances, underscoring the urgent need for improved water access and sanitation. Hemoglobin Pathies and Related Disorders: This theme focuses on sickle cell disease, where studies explore alloimmunization in transfused patients with African blood groups. Findings indicate missed red blood cell antibodies in certain populations, prompting further investigation into hemolysis marker detection techniques. Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology: Case studies demonstrate the complexities of TB in Côte d'Ivoire, including increased rates of Burkitt’s lymphoma and challenges associated with chemotherapy. Data highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies to address this growing health crisis. Blood Groups and Transfusion: Research emphasizes alloantibodies in sickle cell transfusions, particularly focusing on missed antibodies in African populations. Studies reveal gaps in red blood cell testing protocols to ensure accurate diagnosis. Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology: The theme explores stigma around Sickle Cell Disease in Kumasi, Ghana, examining how cultural and religious influences impact health care access. Findings underscore the importance of addressing these systemic barriers for broader access to medical services. Iron Metabolism and Disorders: Research investigates iron stores in sickle cell children and their metabolic consequences, particularly in steady-state conditions. Findings reveal nutritional challenges faced by patients with this disease. Viral-associated cancers and disorders: A case study on Burkitt’s lymphoma provides insights into its epidemiology and clinical manifestations, offering guidance for early detection and treatment. Global Maternal and Child Health: Studies examine maternal mortality rates following emergency units in African regions. Findings emphasize the critical role of emergency services in early intervention and care delivery. Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics: Research highlights advancements in prenatal diagnostics, particularly in identifying complications such as preeclampsia. Findings underscore the importance of accurate testing to ensure safe pregnancies. Poisoning and Overdose Treatments: Studies focus on heart failure and suicide cases caused by overdose, providing insights into prevention strategies. Findings emphasize the need for robust safety nets to reduce risks. Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment: Case studies demonstrate diagnostic markers in African Burkitt’s lymphomas and their role in clinical decision-making. Findings highlight challenges in treatment efficacy and patient outcome. Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life: Research examines nutritional interventions post-chemotherapy and their impact on survivors’ well-being. Findings suggest that nutrition is a key factor influencing survival rates. Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy: Studies explore health behaviors linked to vaccination hesitancy, particularly among pregnant women in Ghana. Findings highlight the importance of education and incentives to encourage vaccination uptake. Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections: Research investigates clinical signs of respiratory infections in under-6-month-olds and their impact on healthcare systems. Findings underscore the need for early detection and management strategies. In summary, these publications collectively provide a comprehensive overview of key themes in global health sciences, emphasizing advancements in malaria research, nutrition challenges, immunology, and healthcare disparities.
Faculty Biography
I am a Lecturer at Associate Professor position, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, and Consultant Paediatrician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi Ghana. I am a Fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians and also of Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.I teach General paedaitrics (with special interest in haematology) to a wide range of undergraduate students including Medical, Emergency Nursing, and Physician assistant students. I also teach postgraduate students in the Master of Public health Reproductive and Child health course in the School of Public Health, KNUST. I have been supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students in their research and theses work and have also acted as local superisor for some PhD students studying abroad. I am also a trainer and supervisor of residents in the residency training for paediatrics in both the West African College of Physicians and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. At the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, I offer clinical services and I have served as Clinical Coordinator, Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and also Head of Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic and Head of paediatric Haematology unit for many years. I have worked in the Sickle cell clinical programme in the hospital since 1993 and has contributed to the success of the Newborn Screening programme in the hospital and beyond since 1995. I served as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee, Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle Cell Disease, Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service, Ghana in the early 2000s' when Ghana decided to implement newborn screening for SCD throughout the country. I have also served on other national health technical committees in the past.I served as the Principal Investigator for The Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCo 1, 2017-2021) for the Ghana site. SPARCO consists of collaborative consortium sites at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania- The Hub, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and Abuja University, Nigeria. Clinicians, academicians, and scientists from these 3 sites are participating in activities in health, education and/or research, employing local infrastructure. Currently I aam among a team of clinicians involved in the SPARCO II (2021-2024) for the Ghana site.I am hte Principal Investigator for a number of Clinical trials in SCD, many of which are about to start; also acted as Principal Investigator for HESTIA 3 Sponsored by AstraZeneca with Protocol Number: D51 36C00009 Clinical Trial , a Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Multicentre, Phase lll Study to Evaluate the Effect of Ticagrelor versus Placebo in Reducing the Rate of Vaso-Occlusive Crises in Paediatric Patients with Sickle Ceil Disease
Blood donation and transfusion practices
Blood groups and transfusion
Child Nutrition and Water Access
Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
Global Maternal and Child Health
Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
Iron Metabolism and Disorders
Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Malaria Research and Control
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
Poisoning and overdose treatments
Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
Viral-associated cancers and disorders
Department of Child Health
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology