Latest news with #NationalSickleCellAnaemiaEliminationMission
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
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.
India Today
06-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Ministry of Health's guide to spotting a sickle cell crisis early
Sickle Cell Anaemia is a hereditary blood disorder where the red blood cells, instead of being round and flexible, become crescent or 'sickle' shaped. These abnormal cells block blood flow and reduce oxygen delivery to various parts of the body, causing sudden and painful episodes known as Sickle Cell Crises. As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, early identification of sickle cell crisis symptoms can save lives. This genetic disorder is more common in certain tribal and rural communities of India, and recognizing the warning signs is crucial for timely medical TRIGGERS A SICKLE CELL CRISIS?Sickle cell crises can be triggered by:InfectionsDehydrationSudden changes in temperatureHigh altitudesStressPhysical exertionThese crises often result in complications that need urgent medical TO IDENTIFY A SICKLE CELL CRISISThe Ministry outlines the following major symptoms:HAND-FOOT SYNDROMEOne of the earliest signs in infants and children is swelling and pain in the hands and feet. This happens due to sickled cells blocking blood flow in small vessels of the CHEST SYNDROMEThis life-threatening condition mimics pneumonia and includes symptoms such as:Sudden chest painCoughFeverShortness of breathIt can occur due to infection or blocked blood vessels in the lungs and demands immediate VISION OR VISUAL DISTURBANCESThe abnormal shape of sickle cells can affect tiny blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision problems or even permanent loss of sight if severe cases, the crisis may restrict blood flow to the brain, resulting in a stroke. Symptoms include:Sudden weakness or numbnessDifficulty in speakingSeizuresLoss of consciousnessThis is considered a medical emergency in children and IS MOST AT RISK?Sickle cell anaemia is inherited, meaning both parents must pass on the defective gene. Communities in states like:ChhattisgarhOdishaMaharashtraMadhya PradeshGujaratJharkhandHave higher reported cases, particularly among Scheduled Tribes (STs).HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?The disease can be diagnosed through a simple blood test:Newborn ScreeningHaemoglobin ElectrophoresisGenetic testing (for carrier identification)Early diagnosis helps in better management and prevents long-term & PREVENTIVE TIPSWhile there is no universal cure yet (except for bone marrow transplant in specific cases), these steps help reduce crisis frequency:Stay well-hydratedAvoid extreme temperaturesTake prescribed medications like hydroxyureaPrevent infections through vaccinationRegular health check-upsGOVERNMENT INTERVENTION & SUPPORTUnder the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, the Government of India is taking proactive steps:Free screening camps in tribal regionsAwareness programs in schools and communitiesGenetic counseling before marriageDistribution of folic acid and medicines at primary health centersSickle Cell Anaemia may be a lifelong condition, but awareness, early diagnosis, and proper care can significantly improve quality of life. The Ministry's efforts aim not just at treatment, but at elimination of the disease through early screening and public education.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sickle cell disease patients get disability certificates
MYSURU A total of 35 patients with sickle cell disease were given disability certificates at a health camp jointly organised by the Centre for Training, Research, and Innovation in Tribal Health (CTRITH) and the Department of Health and Family Welfare at Kollegal taluk hospital on Friday. Sickle cell disease has been identified as a genetic disorder in which red blood cells contort into a sickle shape, causing them to block blood flow and reduce oxygen delivery. Predominantly affecting tribal communities in India, sickle cell disease may cause chronic anaemia, pain, fatigue, acute chest syndrome, stroke, and a host of other health complications. According to a statement issued by the CTRITH, a total of 45 patients, along with 55 caregivers, participated in the free health camp, where they underwent a routine health check and medical consultation. The persons with sickle cell disease were successfully registered and certified under the Unique Disability ID (UDID) system, enabling them to access the government's disability benefits. 'This was not just another health camp. It marked a significant milestone by bringing together all diagnosed sickle cell disease patients from across the district under one roof and facilitating their disability certification,' the statement noted. The health camp was inaugurated by the Chamarajanagar district health officer, M. Chidambara, who said sickle cell disease was a genetic disease that not only required medical attention, but also strong community and family support for its prevention, early detection, and effective management. 'Today, our district has become the first in the State to issue disability certificates for people with sickle cell disease through a camp-based approach. This is a proud moment for us. This reflects our commitment to the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and highlights the value of collaboration with organisations working in the field,' he said. Dr. Chidambara also emphasised the importance of genetic counselling and awareness among carriers to help prevent the birth of children with the disease. Genetic counsellor from JSS Medical College, Mysuru, Deepa Bhat, who is also the head of the sickle cell disease programme at CTRITH, acknowledged the leadership shown by Dr. Chidambara and nodal officer for the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Programme in Chamarajanagar district, Ravikumar. Dr. Bhat said Chamarajanagar was possibly the only district where regular and systematic sickle cell disease camps were being conducted. The health camp not only provided the patients with routine care, but also facilitated their disability certification, which is an essential step towards accessing government support, she added. Chamarajanagar district tuberculosis eradication officer Ravikumar, Kollegal taluk administrative medical officer Rajashekar, and the medical staff of Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra Hospital, B.R. Hills, also participated in the programme.
