According to the Press Release, Prime Minister stressed the need for everyone to contribute to eliminating the disease, whether it is the government, the health worker, or the citizens themselves, He further said, “The National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission takes a comprehensive approach towards combating sickle cell disease as the impact of a disease is not felt by the patient alone but by the whole family. NSCEM combines both screening and awareness strategies to ensure early detection and treatment while promoting education about the disease as people may not be aware that they suffer from this disease, and may unintentionally transfer it to the next generation, hence the role of screening becomes even more important in this regard.”

The Prime Minister launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, as well as released the guidelines for Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. He further launched training modules for primary, secondary, and tertiary care including medical officers, staff nurses, Community Health Officers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, and Accredited Social Health Activist workers. He also released an awareness module for Sickle Cell Disease for Non-Health Functionaries, Parents, and Teachers, as well as a counselling module for patients, care givers, and pregnant women.

At the event, the Prime Minister handed over Sickle Cell Genetic Status Cards to beneficiaries. He also launched the distribution of about 3.57 crore digital cards to Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) beneficiaries, with 1 crore cards being distributed physically to the beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, called the day historic, and said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme was developed to ensure that the health risks faced by our tribal communities are significantly reduced.”

He further said, “The elimination programme reflects the government’s Intent and determination to eliminate the spread of Sickle Cell Diseases. Across 278 districts of India, screenings will be done for people between 0-40 years to stem the further spread of the disease.”

Shri Mangubhai C. Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Prof. SP Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Steel, Smt Renuka Singh Saruta, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, and Shri Bishweswar Tudu, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, were also present at the event.

SCD- Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder or illness of red blood cells. Genetic diseases mean it gets transferred from parents to young ones. Every year June 19 is celebrated as World Sickle cell day (WSCD) to spread awareness about sickle cell disease on the national and international levels. In the year 2008, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognizes sickle cell disease as “one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases.”

What is Sickle Cell disease?

Sickle cell is a genetic disease of red blood cells in which round and flexible RBC’s become stiff and C shaped like a sickle, unable to carry the oxygen freely around the body. This induces severe pain in the body which is termed as sickle cell crisis. These sickle cells have a short life span as compared to normal RBCs. People suffering from sickle cells are at high risk of getting a stroke, blindness, bone damage, and sometimes damage to the liver, kidney, lungs, and spleen also occur. Sickle cell treatment usually involves reducing and preventing complications.

Symptoms of Sickle Cell

Chronic (long term) anemia – as healthy red blood cells get converted into the sickle cell and they eventually die causing a shortage of RBCs.

Pain Episodes (crisis) – because blood vessels get blocked, swell, and cause pain in that area.

Constant Fatigue –feeling weak or lacking in energy because of the anemia.

Jaundice

On World Sickle cell day, people wear red clothes to celebrate the achievements of people living with sickle cell.