Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) : Recently, India achieved a major milestone under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission, having screened over 6 crore individuals for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) out of the targeted 7 crore.

• About SCD : A hereditary blood disorder caused by mutations in the gene responsible for producing hemoglobin.

o Cell Shape Abnormality: Unlike healthy disc-shaped red blood cells, affected individuals have red blood cells shaped like a crescent or sickle.

o Health Impact: Leads to reduced red blood cell lifespan and chronic anemia.

- Causes poor oxygen delivery and blockages in blood vessels.

- Can result in acute pain episodes, severe infections, and tissue death (necrosis).

- Long-term damage to organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys is common.

o Prevalence in India: Primarily affects tribal populations in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

o Treatment: Gene therapy and stem cell transplantation

• National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Launched as part of the Union Budget 2023.

o Vision: To eliminate SCD as a public health problem in India by the year 2047.

o Objective: Improve healthcare access and outcomes for all SCD patients.

- Reduce the prevalence of the disease, especially among tribal populations.

- Promote awareness, screening, behavioural change, and counselling.

o Target Population: Universal screening of 7 crore individuals aged 0–40 years in high-prevalence tribal regions.

o Key Activities: Awareness generation campaigns, large-scale screening and testing, Genetic counselling and community engagement, Inter-ministerial and state collaboration for coordinated efforts.

o Focus States (17 high-prevalence states): Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.