Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

According to the Union Health Ministry National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission has screened over 5.72 crore people, identifying more than 2.09 lakh sickle cell patients and 16.3 lakh trait carriers.

• Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission – It is launched under the National Health Mission (NHM).
• Launched in – 2023
• Objective – It focuses on universal screening, especially in high-prevalence tribal areas.
• Target – Screen 7 crore individuals under age 40 across 17 States by 2025-26.
• Key States with high prevalence:
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Maharashtra
  • Odisha
  • Jharkhand
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan (included under mission)
• Importance of screening – Early detection through screening of pregnant women and new-borns.
• It ensures timely treatment and reduces complications.
• Counselling families to overcome stigma and resistance to modern healthcare.
• Challenges in tribal areas – Deep-rooted reliance on traditional medicine.
• Fear or mistrust of modern healthcare.
• Difficult accessibility & lack of regular follow-ups.
• Social stigma leading to delayed diagnosis.
• Treatment – Hydroxyurea, a key medicine for SCD, being distributed via trained health workers.

Reference

The Hindu| Sickle Cell Mission identifies over two lakh patients