Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram to preside over the National Conclave on Awareness Generation on Sickle Cell Disease

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Public Health

Context:

On the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram presided over the National Conclave on Awareness Generation on Sickle Cell Disease, in New Delhi.

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On 29th August 2023, the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs launched the ‘Awareness Campaign and Training of Trainers’ as part of the ‘Mission for Elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia’.
The programme envisages training of grassroot level functionaries so as to create awareness in this direction among the masses, especially in tribal regions.

What is Sickle cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic single gene disorder causing a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction and chronic organ damage and by a significant reduction in life expectancy.
It is characterized by a modification in the shape of the red blood cell from a smooth, donut-shape into a crescent or half-moon shape.
These cells lack plasticity and can block small blood vessels, impairing blood flow.
This condition leads to shortened red blood cell survival, and subsequent anemia, often called sickle-cell anemia.
SCD refers to a group of inherited blood disorders, wherein a genetic mutation causes abnormal hemoglobin to clump together, causing the red blood cells to turn sickle shaped.
These sickle-shaped cells cause blockages in the blood flow, which can lead to anemia, pain, infections and other severe complications.
Individuals with sickle cell trait carry only one defective gene and typically live normal lives, but they can pass the gene to their children.
Therefore, it is advisable for all adults and newborns to undergo a medical screening for sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission:

The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission is a sub mission of National Health Mission, wherein the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has a pivotal role to play in raising awareness and producing counseling material about this debilitating disease, with special emphasis on tribal areas.
The Government of India embarked on the ‘Mission for Elimination of SCD by 2047’, with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launching the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh on 1st July, 2023.
The mission entails awareness creation, universal screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in the affected tribal areas.
The programme is being carried out in a mission mode for screening, prevention, and management of sickle cell anemia in all tribal and other high prevalent areas States/UTs of India.
The focus is on tribal dominated districts of 17 states with higher prevalence of the disease.
About 1 in 86 births among Scheduled Tribe (ST) population have SCD, the prevalence being higher in Central, Western and Southern India.
It is predominantly prevalent in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, western Odisha, eastern Gujarat and in pockets of the Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala.