More than 1 crore people in India screened for sickle cell disease

New Delhi: In a significant milestone, more than one crore people in India have been screened for sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder marked by faulty hemoglobin. According to the Union Health Ministry, one crore people were screened under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission, which aims to screen seven crore population in three years. The mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 1, 2023 in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India before 2047. Sickle cell is more common in the tribal population of India but also occurs in non-tribals. India has the highest density of tribal population globally. According to the mission website, India has 8.6% tribal population as per Census 2011, which is 67.8 million across Indian states. According to statistics, more than 50 percent of sickle cell anemia cases in the world occur in India only. This program is being run in a mission mode for screening, prevention and management of sickle cell anemia in all tribal and other high-prevalence states and union territories. The focus is on 278 districts in 17 states with high prevalence of sickle cell disease – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh. , Kerala, Bihar and Uttarakhand. This disease disrupts the ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen in red blood cells. Sickle cells stick together, blocking small blood vessels and causing painful and harmful complications. It not only causes anemia but also pain crisis, reduced growth and affects many organs like lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones and brain. Under the Mission, patients suffering from the disease are provided various services and facilities to improve their quality of life through Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs). Under the mission, apart from regular follow-up of the diseased persons at regular intervals, counseling regarding lifestyle management is also provided. Apart from yoga and wellness sessions organized under the mission, nutritional supplement support is also given through distribution of folic acid tablets. Also, management of crisis symptoms and referral to higher facilities is provided under the mission.