People living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) across the Caribbean now have access to a new digital tool designed to help them better manage their health.

The Sickle Cell Cares Foundation Inc. (SCCF) of Dominica has launched SickleConnect, described as the first digital health platform in the region created specifically for people living with SCD.

“SickleConnect is the platform I needed growing up.”  Kellyn George said founder and CEO, Sickle Cell Cares Foundation Inc, who lives with HbSS Sickle Cell Disease, in a media release announcing the development.

The free app allows users to track pain episodes, monitor medication, record hydration levels, store health information and generate AI-powered health summaries that can be shared with healthcare providers.

SickleConnect was developed to address some of the daily challenges faced by people living with sickle cell disease, including managing pain crises, staying on top of treatments and communicating important health information during medical appointments.

Among its features is a pain tracker that allows users to record the severity of crises and identify possible triggers, including menstrual cycle patterns for female patients. The app also includes medication reminders, refill alerts and warnings related to possible drug interactions involving common SCD treatments such as Hydroxyurea and Penicillin.

Users can also monitor their daily fluid intake, with the platform designed to support the recommended hydration goals often encouraged for people living with the condition.

Another feature allows patients to generate a 30-day clinical summary using their recorded health data, giving doctors a clearer picture of symptoms, treatments and trends over time.

The platform also includes access to private consultations with sickle cell counsellors and lived-experience advisors, as well as a crisis SOS feature that allows users to send an emergency alert with their location.

SickleConnect also provides a community space with moderated peer-support and education groups connecting patients across the Caribbean and the diaspora.

The foundation said the platform was created to put more health management tools directly into the hands of patients and support a more connected approach to sickle cell care.

The app is available now at app.sicklecellcares.org.