Mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047
'Sickle Cell Disease is a disease that impacts tribal sections of societies significantly. The government is committed to eliminate the disease before India celebrates its Amrit Kaal in 2047.' This is what Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said while launching the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, on 1 July 2023.
Late one summer afternoon in a remote village in Jharkhand, 16-year-old Asha sat under a neem tree, her textbooks in her lap. The youngest of five siblings from a tribal family, Asha had spent much of her childhood battling crippling bouts of pain that would leave her bedridden for days. It wasn't until a government screening camp reached her village that she learned the cause — sickle cell anaemia, a genetic blood disorder that had quietly stalked her community for generations.
Asha's story is far from unique. Across India's tribal heartlands — from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to Gujarat and Maharashtra — thousands of young boys and girls like her are born with sickle cell disease (SCD), their lives shaped by an inherited condition that warps red blood cells and restricts oxygen flow. The disease brings severe pain, frequent infections, organ damage, and — all too often — an early death. For decades, in these isolated communities with limited healthcare access and low awareness, the burden of SCD remained largely hidden.
India, home to the world's second-largest tribal population, accounts for more than 42,000 newborns with SCD every year — a grim reminder of a long-neglected public health challenge. In many tribal belts, the prevalence of the sickle cell trait ranges from 1% to 40%. Generations of consanguineous marriages and the historic presence of malaria, which once gave the sickle cell trait a survival advantage, only deepened the crisis.
But change is now underway. The Government of India launched the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission in 2023 — a bold effort to break this cycle of suffering. For young girls like Asha, this mission offers not just treatment — but hope.
Driven by the ministry of tribal affairs and the ministry of health and family welfare, the mission is anchored in an ambitious goal: To eradicate SCD as a public health threat by 2047, in step with India's vision for Amrit Kaal. The strategy rests on universal screening, early detection, and community-driven awareness — reaching even the most remote villages of India's 17 high-burden states.
Progress is already visible. More than one crore people have been screened since the mission began — a staggering feat in a landscape where health services often struggle to reach. In Asha's village, a simple solubility test, followed by a confirmatory HPLC analysis, revealed her condition early enough to start hydroxyurea therapy — reducing her painful episodes and allowing her to return to school.
Critically, the mission integrates sickle cell care into the vast network of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, created through PM Modi's flagship health care vision. These community hubs — familiar and trusted by locals — now provide screening, counselling, and ongoing treatment. Health care workers like ASHAs and ANMs are not only delivering medicines but educating families about the disease and genetic counseling, equipping them with knowledge that was once absent.
For tribal girls and women, the mission's impact is life changing. Maternal health outcomes, previously marred by frequent complications, are improving. Pregnant women with SCD now receive specialised care, reducing the risks of premature births and infant mortality. In states like Gujarat, nearly one lakh tribal women screened have already benefited from targeted interventions.
Technology is also playing a vital role. Through smart cards and digital health records — accessible in local languages — families can track their health status and make informed decisions about marriage and childbirth, breaking the generational transmission of the disease. Community figures like Theresa Naik, an SCD patient turned ANM in Jharkhand, are becoming powerful advocates, inspiring others to come forward.
Economically, the mission eases a heavy burden. Previously, tribal families often faced financial ruin from repeated hospital visits. Now, with the rollout of over three crore Ayushman Bharat digital cards, covering treatment up to ₹5 lakh, families can access free care — a crucial support in regions of endemic poverty.
For Asha and her peers, the transformation is tangible. Once confined by illness, she now attends school regularly, dreams of becoming a teacher, and educates younger children about SCD in her village.
As India approaches its centenary in 2047, the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission stands as more than a health care initiative. It is a testament to empathetic governance — one that listens to the voices of its most marginalised citizens and acts with urgency. For India's tribal communities, it offers dignity, inclusion, and the promise of a healthier future.
For girls like Asha, it means no longer living in the shadow of a disease they never chose — but stepping into the light of possibility.
This article is authored by Tuhin A Sinha, national spokesperson, BJP.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
PHC opens at site in Kashi where illegal slaughterhouse operated prior to 2017
Varanasi: An illegal slaughterhouse has been transformed into a primary health centre in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the site, a one-storey building was constructed on approximately 1,300 square feet of land with two OPD facilities—one for women and one for men. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Additionally, a pharmacy will also come up. The PHC came into existence on the initiative of Neelkanth Tiwari, former UP minister and MLA from Varanasi South assembly constituency. Tiwari inaugurated the PHC on Thursday in the Adivisheshwar ward's Patthar Gali.. The Yogi Adityanath govt shut down illegal slaughterhouses in 2017 to protect cows and prevent trafficking. Following this, Tiwari initiated the establishment of the health centre at this site and laid the foundation for its construction. During the inauguration ceremony, 21 Vedic priests conducted purification rituals with Vedic chants and the recitation of Sundarkand. Tiwari said that during the COVID-19 crisis everyone relied on govt hospitals and these hospitals and primary health centres played a crucial role in keeping people healthy. "Therefore, it was essential to organise these centres to provide significant relief through primary treatment," he said, while adding, "There are a total of five primary health centres in the Varanasi South constituency, and all primary centres, which previously operated in small rented rooms, now have their own buildings. All health centres are functioning smoothly, and preparations are underway to enhance other advanced medical facilities at these centres.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Yoga must be a way of life, not a once-a-yr affair: Health minister
Vijayawada: Urging people to make yoga a part of their daily lives to stay healthy, health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said it should be viewed as something to be parctised only for International Day of Yoga or other competitions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Chandrababu Naidu have maintained their fitness because they have made yoga a part of their daily lives, he said. Patanjali's 'yoga sutras' mean yoga is about controlling the mind and its fluctuations, he noted. "The essence of yoga lies in the mind, while the body serves as the foundation for practising righteousness. Yoga is the tool to control the body and mind, enhancing health, longevity, and inner bliss," he explained. He noted that the United Nations general assembly declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga due to Prime Minister Modi's initiation. "The 11th edition of the event is being celebrated with the theme, 'One Earth, One Health'. Yoga is a continuous way of life, encompassing not just physical postures but also mental practices like meditation. India's commitment is to global health, and Andhra Pradesh is fortunate to be the platform for this," the minister said, adding that the govt is working to take the yoga program to every home by conducting surveys and understanding the benefits and success stories of yoga.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
PM Modi to lead 11th International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): The stage is set for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) to be celebrated with grandeur on June 21, with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The theme for this year is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' echoes India's vision of global wellness. The theme reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). The Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with over 10 lakh locations across the country under the 'Yoga Sangam' initiative, Ministry of AYUSH said. The mass demonstration will be held from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM, and is expected to witness unprecedented participation from all corners of the country. He will be joined by Union Minister of State (IC) Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in a massive demonstration of India's global wellness vision. In an unprecedented mobilisation, more than 2 crore people are expected to participate in Yoga sessions at over 1 lakh locations across the state. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt to mark the occasion. Additionally, over 50 lakh yoga certificates will be awarded to registered participants by the Andhra Pradesh government, making this decadal edition of IDY a truly historic moment in India's health and wellness journey. As part of the celebrations in Visakhapatnam, a remarkable Surya Namaskar programme was organised at Andhra University today, where around 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes. This unique initiative highlighted the enthusiastic participation of tribal communities and reflected the deepening reach of yoga at the grassroots level. Delhi, too, is all set to actively participate in the national celebration. On June 21st, yoga events will be held at 109 locations across the capital, including a grand program at the historic Red Fort. Organised by Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, and supported by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Archaeological Survey of India, the Red Fort event will highlight the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' To ensure the inclusive reach of yoga's benefits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting, 'It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world.' As in previous editions of IDY, the Prime Minister's message has infused Gram Panchayats with renewed enthusiasm, resulting in a significant rise in yoga-related activities at the grassroots level, particularly in Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centers. The Introduction of 10 Signature events to garner public participation for IDY 2025 has resulted in unprecedented response from across the country and abroad. Against the target of 1 lakh registrations for the 21st June event in the country, more than 11 lakh organizations and groups have registered for the Yoga Sangam event at their respective places through the Yoga portal of the Ministry of Ayush. Rajasthan topped the list by registering 2.25 lakh plus registrations followed by three more states crossing the 1 lakh registration mark. To honour this milestone year, the Ministry of Ayush has conceptualised 10 Signature Events, rolled out over a span of 100 days. These events catered to different sections of society and showcase the evolving landscape of yoga in India and abroad. They include Yoga Sangam, which is mass yoga demonstrations across over 1,00,000 locations alongside the national event--Yoga Bandhan, which includes international collaborations and exchange of yoga delegations, Harit Yoga---the Integration of yoga with environmental actions like tree plantations and cleanliness drives, Yoga Park---which is upgrading of public parks into dedicated yoga spaces. It also includes Yoga Samavesh---which is inclusive yoga outreach with customised protocols for marginalised groups, Yoga Prabhava---which is a comprehensive 10-year impact report on IDY and its societal outcomes, Yoga Connect--- which is a global online yoga summit held on June 14, featuring global experts and policymakers. It also includes Yoga Unplugged---which is youth-centric campaigns combining tech, trends, and traditional yoga, Yoga Maha Kumbh--- a series of large-scale events celebrating yoga's cultural and spiritual dimensions and Samyoga---that showcases integration of yoga evidence with modern healthcare practices. The decadal celebration is being coordinated through a Whole-of-Government approach, involving ministries, departments, state governments, urban local bodies, and Indian Missions abroad. Preparatory activities have been ongoing for weeks, with special drives, yoga camps, and competitions organized by various government bodies. Globally, Indian Embassies and cultural centres are actively conducting yoga demonstrations and awareness campaigns, further strengthening India's cultural diplomacy and leadership in wellness. With its strong foundation over the past ten years and enthusiastic participation from across sectors, IDY 2025 is poised to be a landmark moment in India's wellness journey. The message is clear--Yoga is not only a gift of India to the world, but also a pathway for a healthier, harmonious, and more sustainable future for all. (ANI)
