New Delhi, 19 June (IANS). India has so far investigated about 5.72 crore people to detect sickle cell disease. All this is happening under the ‘Bharat Sickle Cell Free Future Campaign’. The Ministry of Health of India gave this information on the occasion of Sickle Cell Day.
World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated every year on 19 June. The purpose of this day is to make people aware of sickle cell disease (SCD).
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder, which directly affects our blood red blood cells (RBC). In this disease, the number of RBCs in the body decreases, due to which the right amount of oxygen does not reach the body parts. In such a situation, problems like fatigue, pain and weakness can occur. If it is not treated on time, then this disease can also become dangerous.
The Government of India said in the social media platform X post, “On this World Sickle Sale Day, India has now moved towards the Sickle Cell -free future.”
Cases of sickle cell disease are seen more in India, especially where tribal people live, there are more cases from those areas. But this does not mean that this disease is limited to tribals only; This can also happen to non-tribal people.
According to government data, India resides in the world’s largest tribal population. About 8.6 percent of the total population of India, ie about 6.78 crore people are tribals. This information is received from the 2011 census.
To deal with this disease, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the National Sickle Cell Anemia Mission from Madhya Pradesh on 1 July 2023. The purpose of this mission is to eliminate sickle cell disease in the country.
The Ministry of Health said, “By 3 June 2025, a total of 5.72 crore people have been investigated by sickle cell disease. This investigation has completed more than 75 percent of his three -year target. ”
It is worth noting that in just one year, ie between April 2024 and April 2025, more than 2.65 crore people have been investigated for sickle cell disease.
The states have so far issued 2.50 crore sickle cell status cards. With the help of these cards, sickle cell disease has been found in 1.98 lakh people and 14 lakh people have found a subtle condition of sickle cell.
The Health Ministry said that whatever patients have been found, they are still getting the right treatment.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said that sickle cell day is celebrated to raise awareness about the difficulties of people struggling with this disease.
He said on X, “This day gives people an opportunity to make awareness, to find out the disease early and promote new research. It is very important to eliminate misunderstandings related to this disease and give proper care to patients.”
-IANS
PK/KR
