Eradicating sickle cell disease: MoS Health informs about steps taken by Health Ministry

New Delhi: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) has higher prevalence in tribal-dominated states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala informed by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prof SP Singh Baghel in Lok Sabha.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disease which affects the whole life of patient. It is more common in the tribal population of India but occurs in non-tribals too. It not only causes anemia but also pain crisis, reduced growth, and affects many organs like lungs, heart, kidney, eyes, bones and the brain. The Minister stated this in Lok Sabha while responding to a question raised by Shrimati Queen Oja seeking a response whether Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is indeed a chronic anaemia disease that has spread in the middle of the country.

He informed that to eliminate sickle cell disease, Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission has been launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister from Madhya Pradesh on 1st July, 2023. The objectives of the Mission are provision of affordable and accessible care to all Sickle Cell Diseased patients, quality of care for SCD patients and reduction in the prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease through awareness creation, universal screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in affected 278 districts of tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments.

Through Ministry of tribal affairs, awareness and counseling material have been developed. IEC and media activities are adopted for propagation of awareness of disease, screening and management. State Govts. have to play an important role in implementation of mission activities. State Governments are doing screening by scheduling outreach campaign in villages and schools/hostels. The preventive measurement and management of disease is also an important component of the mission, added the Minister.

Further, the minister was also asked whether the Government has any data on the most affected States, and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise.

He stated that under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, patients living with Sickle Cell disease are provided with the following services/ facilities for improving their quality of life through Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC);

I. Regular follow-up of diseased individuals at frequent intervals.

II. Counseling regarding lifestyle management.

III. Nutritional supplementation support through distribution of folic acid tablets.

IV. Conducting yoga and wellness sessions.

V. Management of crisis symptoms and referral to higher facilities.

Minister SP Bhagel further mentioned that the disease has a higher prevalence in tribal-dominated states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala.

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