Over 3 crore people screened for sickle cell anaemia under National Mission: MoS Health informs Parliament

New Delhi: Over 3 crore population in the 17 identified states in the country have been screened for sickle cell anaemia disease till June 30, 2024, the Union Minister of State for Health Shri Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha last week.  

The Minister informed that Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disease that affects the whole life of the patient. It is more common in the tribal population of India but occurs in non-tribals too. It not only causes anaemia but also pain crisis, reduces growth and affects many organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones and the brain.

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This statement was made in response to questions raised by Shri Haribhai Patel who sought to know whether the Government has suitably addressed the health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among the tribal population of the country and if so, the details thereof; the details of the number of tribals who have been screened for sickle cell anaemia out of expected screening target of 8 crore under forty years of age in the next three years under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme; and the details of the efforts being made by the Government for successfully attaining the aforementioned target of screening of about 8 crore tribals.