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SICKLE CELL RETINOPATHY NETWORK 

A global network comprising multidisciplinary teams from countries where Sickle
Cell Disease is prevalent



VISION

To reduce sight loss in people with sickle cell disease


MISSION 

To highlight the importance of and conduct research to reduce vision-threatening
complications in people with any sickle cell genotype. This is to be achieved
through global collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in countries and
populations where this disease is present. 


To produce robust multicenter research to determine the diagnosis and risk
factors affecting visual loss in this population.  


To develop evidence-based screening and management protocols to reduce
preventable blindness in the population with the sickle cell genotype 

_______________



Credits: Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur





SCR.NET AIMS TO SHIFT THE STATUS QUO IN RESEARCH AND CLINICAL CARE OF SICKLE
CELL RETINOPATHY




Founding Members




ADETUNJI ADENEKAN




Dr Adetunji Olusesan Adenekan is a Senior Lecturer and Honourary Consultant
Ophthalmic Surgeon and Retina Specialist. 

The Head Retina Unit, Residency Training Coordinator, and the Clinical Lead
Diabetic Retinopathy screening and treatment services at the Department of
Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL) and Guinness Eye
Center, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).  He is a training faculty,
West African College of Surgeons/Moorfields Lions Korle Bu Trust diabetic
retinopathy management course. 

He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the College of Medicine,
University of Lagos and his Fellowship in Ophthalmology from the National
Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. He also obtained a Cert. Vitreo-Retina
Fellowship from the Aravind Eye Hospital, India.

Carrier focus-Medical Retina: Diabetic Retinopathy, Sickle Cell Retinopathy,
Retinopathy of Prematurity and Retinal Degenerative Diseases. Surgical Retina:
Ocular Oncology and Genetics: Retinoblastoma, Uveal tumours. 

He is actively involved in various collaborative research efforts and medical
education in medicine and ophthalmology.

He describes himself as an engaging and effective team worker with excellent
work ethics and abilities. He has years of service and leadership in the Medical
Profession. He is a Past President Association of Resident Doctors LUTH, Past
Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, NMA (Lagos State Branch), and the Past
2nd Vice President of NMA (National).



AKWASI AHMED




Dr. Akwasi Ahmed, MD ,MBA, FGCPS is a highly skilled Ophthalmologist and
Fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon with a special interest in Sickle cell
retinopathy and Diabetic Retinopathy. With over a decade of experience, Dr.
Ahmed has gained extensive expertise in the surgical and medical treatments of
the retina and vitreous.

Dr. Ahmed obtained his medical degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology in Ghana. He completed his ophthalmology residency
training at the Ghana College of Physician and Surgeons, followed by a
Fellowship in Vitreoretinal surgery from both the Tilganga Institute of
Ophthalmology, Nepal and the Aravind Eye care Hospital Systems in India.
Additionally, he has also completed a Fellowship from the Ghana College of
Physicians and Surgeons.

He is the Managing Director of Rods and Cones Eye care Services Limited with two
branches in Tanoso and Asokwa in the Ashanti region of Ghana and has led growth
of the organization to become the biggest private eye institution in the region
and amongst the best in the entire country. He is also the Co-founder and CEO of
Africa Eye Imaging centre, a Ghanaian based NGO, whose mission is to provide 
state-of-the-art ophthalmic imaging services at an affordable cost for the
detection and management of Diabetic retinopathy, Sickle cell retinopathy, and
other retinal diseases.  He serves on the Board of trustees for Agyeman Eye
foundation, an NGO in Ghana, which aims to empower Blind and Partially blind
individuals to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Dr. Ahmed is also a Board
member and Ghana Country Director for ‘Daybreak Vision Project’, a US based
non-profit organization that aims to provide eye care services in underserved
areas. 

Dr. Ahmed works as a Consultant at The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in
Kumasi, Ghana, where attends to and manages complex retinal cases and teaches
medical students and ophthalmology residents.

He is the current Secretary of the Ophthalmological society of Ghana and has
presented at several local and international conferences. He is passionate about
reducing the burden of cataract blindness in Ghana, and has participated in
numerous outreach programs organized by various organizations, such as the
Himalayan Cataract Project and the Daybreak Vision project.

In his leisure time, Dr. Ahmed enjoys spending time with his family, playing
tennis, and watching Bollywood movies. His dedication to his profession and
philanthropic work in Ghana have made him a respected and admired figure in the
medical community.


KWESI NYAN AMISSAH-ARTHUR




Kwesi is a senior clinical lecturer and consultant vitreoretinal surgeon at the
University of Ghana Medical School. He trained in the United Kingdom with
undergraduate education at the University of Birmingham Medical School (2004).
Kwesi had his Ophthalmology training in the West Midlands Deanery and did his
retinal fellowship at the Birmingham and Midlands Eye Hospital followed by a
second vitreo-retina fellowship at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

Whilst in Birmingham Kwesi co-authored the retina chapter of the Oxford Handbook
of Ophthalmology and has authored 30 scientific peer reviewed papers. Kwesi won
the Alcon UK Glaucoma prize in 2010 and the Roper Hall medal in 2008. 

Together with his colleague Imoro Braimah they expanded the surgical retina
service of the Korle Bu teaching hospital in Accra, they setup the first public
hospital vitrectomy service in West Africa. 

His research grants total $675,000. This includes an H3 Africa NIH grant and a
Google Deepmind grant for artificial intelligence in retinal imaging. He serves
on several National Ophthalmological and academic committees. Kwesi is a fellow
of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK) and of the Ghana College of
Physicians and Surgeons. He is a member of the American Society of Retina
Specialists, the European Society of Retina Specialists and is the secretary of
the African Retinal Society.



WINFRIED M. K. AMOAKU




Winfried Amoaku is an Associate Professor/Reader in Ophthalmology and Visual
Sciences, University of Nottingham, and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at
Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. His subspecialty
interest is medical retina diseases and uveitis. His research complements his
clinical practice, and focuses on the occurrence, pathogenesis and treatments of
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diabetic retinopathy, and other retinal
vascular diseases. He has a range of national and international research
collaborations.

He has advised on previous Health Technology Assessments in retinal diseases. He
has also served on ad hoc Advisory Boards of different pharmaceutical companies
on different aspects of AMD, diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema,
non-infectious uveitis, and retinal vein occlusions. He has served on the
Editorial Boards of a few learned Ophthalmology journals.

He chaired the VISION 2020 UK Macular Interest Group until 2017, and was a
member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Macular Society UK (until
2015). He previously served the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) in
different positions, including Senior Examiner for the Undergraduate Duke-Elder
Examinations Committee, Examiner in different diets of MRCOphth/FRCOphth
examinations, member of Council, Executive Committee, Training, Education,
Professional Standards and Finance Committees, Chair of the Medical Retina
Service Provisions Subcommittee, Vice-President and Chair of the Scientific
Committee (2007-11), and President (2010-11), and has contributed to several
College guidelines.


RABIA BOURKIZA




Ms Rabia Bourkiza is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon specialising in
vitreoretinal and cataract surgery.

Ms Bourkiza undertook her specialist training in Ophthalmology in London,
rotating through Moorfields Eye Hospitals and other leading London hospitals.
She then developed a sub-specialist interest in retina and was selected for two
advanced retinal surgical fellowships and one medical retina fellowship at
Moorfields Eye Hospital, where she was subsequently appointed as a locum
consultant in vitreoretinal surgery.

Ms Bourkiza’s main NHS base is at London North West University NHS Trust, where
she established a robust vitreoretinal service attracting referrals from other
west London hospitals. She is also involved in a number of retinal clinical
trials, and authored 16 peer reviewed articles in international journals.

Amongst other roles, Ms Bourkiza was appointed as College Tutor by the Royal
College of Ophthalmologists in 2019. Her interest in medical education is
evidenced by her completion of a PGCert in Medical Education at University
College London, and her clinical teaching fellowship where she was responsible
for medical students at University College London and Queen Mary Medical
Schools. She is a faculty member of the eye laser course, London Eye course, and
OCT in a day course.

Prizes/grants and achievements

Best free paper Award -34th International Congress of the Hellenic Society of
Intraocular Implant and Refractive Surgery (2020)

Nominated for the Moorfields Stars Award (2017, 2019)

Medical Education conference Best poster prize (2017)

Moorfields Association Bursary (2016)

Royal National Institute of the Blind Epidemiology grant (2013)

American Academy of Ophthalmology Best Poster prize (2010)

Pfizer Educational Grant (2009)

MBChB distinctions (2006)

Diabetes UK Award (2005)

Maurice Sherwin Award  (2005)  – University of Leeds

Dora Ratcliffe Award (2005) – University of Leeds




MOHAMMED-SHERRIF FUSEINI




Mohammed Sherrif Napari Fuseini is a medical doctor at the Korle Bu Teaching
Hospital.

He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
from the prestigious University of Ghana, where he honed his scientific and
research skills. Subsequently, He pursued his medical degree at the same
institution, where his fascination with ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery
began to take shape.

His career in medicine has been marked by a strong commitment to leveraging
technology for the betterment of eye health. He firmly believes that
advancements in technology can revolutionize the way we approach eye care,
making it more accessible, efficient, and effective.



ZULFIYA EMEFA GBEDEMAH




Dr. Zulfiya Gbedemah is a dedicated medical professional with a deep interest in
ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery. She obtained her medical degree from
the University of Ghana Medical School and currently serves at the Korle Bu
Teaching Hospital, prioritizing patient care above all. Her research drive aims
to enhance eye care, benefitting patient well-being. Outside work she delves
into contemporary African literature, strengthening her bond with the
continent’s vibrant culture.


EVELYN MENSAH




Evelyn (Evie) Mensah is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Central Middlesex
Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust where she’s the
Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology and Co-Lead for the North West London
Ophthalmology Clinical Reference Group.

Evie obtained her medical degree from Imperial College and ophthalmology
training was at Moorfields. Her expertise includes the management of medical
retinal disease and complex cataract surgery. She’s a previous educational
supervisor and college tutor to Ophthalmology Specialist Trainees (OSTs) in her
unit and has trained and accredited a multi-professional workforce to take on
extended roles. Evie has been the recipient of two ‘Best Trainer in
Ophthalmology’ Health Education England awards over the past four years
nominated by London OSTs. 

Evie is a trustee of the Moorfields Lions Korle Bu Trust and has developed an
innovative diabetic retinopathy management course for West African
Ophthalmologists underpinned by input from educators at University College
London and the West African College of Surgeons. She also runs an innovative
Laser simulation course for London OSTs.

Evie is the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) Expert for her Trust that
comprises a 69% global majority workforce. 

Evie is active on social media where she is an advocate for antiracism and
social justice.


LIZETTE MOWATT 




Lizette Mowatt is the Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of the West
Indies (UWI). She is the Head of the Ophthalmology Division and Consultant
Vitreoretinal Surgeon at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI),
Kingston Jamaica. She is the Clinical Lead for the Diabetic Retinopathy
Screening programme at the UHWI and the Ophthalmology Residency Programme
Co-ordinator at the UWI, Mona Campus, Jamaica.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of the
West Indies. She did her Residency in Ophthalmology and then her Vitreoretinal
Fellowship at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, UK. She has held leadership
positions both locally and regionally, including the President of the
Ophthalmological Society of Jamaica (OSJ) and President of the Ophthalmological
Society of the West Indies (OSWI). She is the co-Chair of the National Technical
Working Group (NTWG) on Eye Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica,
whose strategic plan includes strengthening eye services to improve eye health
through multisectoral collaborations and partnerships. Her focus is on training
ophthalmologists and allied health care professionals and improving eye health
through research and policy changes. Her research interests include diabetic
retinopathy and sickle cell retinopathy.



NNENNA OSUJI




With more than 20 years’ experience within the NHS, Nnenna joined the Trust as
Chief Executive in 2021, having previously worked as deputy chief executive and
medical director at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.

She has held many other roles within Croydon since she started there in 2005.
She was joint clinical lead for the South West London Sustainability and
Transformation Partnership and a member of key groups including the London
Clinical Advisory Group and the London Clinical Senate.

She has a pedigree in academia and teaching, is an experienced haematology
consultant and continues to practice.  

Nnenna is currently co-chair of the London People Board and chair of the London
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering group. She also co-chairs the Best
Value Medicines Steering group for London.




SOBHA SIVAPRASAD




Professor Sobha Sivaprasad is a Medical Retina Consultant Ophthalmologist at
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and a Professor in Retinal Clinical
Research at University College London. She is the DIrector of Moorfields
Clinical Research Facility and the Vascular Theme Lead for Moorfields Biomedical
Research Centre. She is the Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Royal
College of Ophthalmologists. Professor Sivaprasad has published more than 400
peer-reviewed publications. Her main research interests are clinical trials,
imaging and risk prediction. She works collaboratively with a large number of
institutions both in the UK and globally. She is the Editor-in- chief of Eye
since January 2018.




LETS TALK!

The establishment of SCR.net and the valuable insights that will arise from our
presentations and discussions represent a significant step toward addressing the
challenges surrounding SCR. 

Through collaboration and a revitalised dedication to research, SCR.net is
poised to transform the landscape of SCR management.  

We welcome others to join us. In the meantime, please stay tuned for more
updates!




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CONTACT:


info@sicklecellretinopathy.net





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