Sickle cell patients need better access to modern medication

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Health

What is Sickle Cell Anemia(SCD)?

Sickle cell disease, a chronic condition, encompasses a group of inherited disorders affecting haemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen transport in the body.
Red blood cells possess a disc-like shape and are flexible, facilitating smooth movement through blood vessels.
In SCD, a genetic mutation causes these red blood cells to adopt a crescent or “sickle” shape.
These sickle-shaped RBCs lead to disruption of blood flow in small vessels and result in numerous complications.

Sickle cell Anemia burden in India:

SCD affects 20 million people worldwide.
India grapples with a formidable challenge posed by SCD, with millions affected.
According to an article by Forbes, India has the second-highest global prevalence of the disease, with 1 in 86 births positive for SCD.
Patients with SCD suffer a broad spectrum of complications that contributes to their increased morbidity and mortality.
From end-organ damage and increased infection susceptibility, to stroke and pulmonary complications, the challenges presented by SCD are diverse.

Treatment of the disease:

After multiple decades where Hydroxyurea was the only disease modifying therapy for SCD, there are now multiple medications that are approved and available.
After years of symptom management as the treatment strategy, we now can talk about a choice of disease-modifying therapies and disease control.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission:

The Indian government initiated the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in 2023, aiming to eradicate SCD by 2047.
This initiative entails enhancing awareness, conducting universal screening of approximately seven crore individuals aged 0-40 in affected tribal regions, and providing counselling through collaborative endeavors between central ministries and State governments.