National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission

ABOUT THE MISSION

• It was announced as part of the Union Budget 2023.
• Objective- To eliminate sickle cell disease (SCD) as a public health problem in India before 2047.
• The overall aim is to enable access to affordable and quality health care for all SCD patients and to lower the prevalence through awareness, change of practices and screening interventions.
• The mission will entail awareness creation, universal screening of seven crore people in the 0-40 years age group in affected tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments.
• Initially, the focus shall be on 17 states with higher prevalence of SCD– Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Uttarakhand.

SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

• Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease that means it can easily be passed from parents to children.
• This is a type of blood disorder in which the shape of red blood cells changes. They normally look round but, in this disease, they become crescent or C shaped.
• Due to this, the red blood cells are not able to do their work properly and there is a lack of blood in the whole body. Because of this anaemia becomes a disease.
• These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow.
• It is caused by a defective gene called a sickle cell gene.
• A person will be born with sickle cell disease only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father.
• Symtoms include extreme tiredness or fussiness from anaemia, painfully swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
  • In advanced stages it can lead to severe pain, anaemia, organ damage, and infections.
• The only cure for this disease is bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
• However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.