All effort would be made in eradicating sickle cell from the country by the end of 2047; this was stated by the Union Minister of State Shri Durgadas Uikey today in New Delhi. Addressing a gathering in AIIMS on the occasion of “World Sickle cell Day” he said that there would be no dearth of funds in eliminating the dreaded diseases Sickle cell anemia. He informed that his ministry is working in tandem along with other stake holders in eradicating the disease from the nation. On 1^st July 2023, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had announced his government’s resolve that by the end of 2047, Sickle Cell anemia would be thrashed out from the soil of India. Acting in line with the vision of the Prime Minister the MoS said his ministry along with other line departments is about to complete screening, testing and other requisites for the eradication of the disease. He said that it is not only a challenge for the medical fraternities it is also a movement of providing social justice to the tribal communities in the nation. He called on the medical fraternities to come forward for realizing the dream of the Prime Minister by eradicating the disease from India. Meanwhile the Minister of State also interacted with patients of sickle cell anaemia and their families. People from different parts of the country are currently residing and receiving treatment in Delhi, the Minister assured them of all support of Central and state governments; he further assured them about the free availability of all medicines associated with the management of SCD.

Participating in the World Sickle Cell Day program the secretary to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs Shri Vibhu Nayar said that in order to provide effective health care services for the patients who have been suffering of sickle cell & anemia, the government of India has lunched Centers of competence (CoC) in 15 tertiary care hospitals, including AIIMS across the country. He said that it would be functional by the end of November this year and patients would get diagnostic as well as referral facilities soon. These CoCs provide state of the art diagnostic and management of SCD, including ante-natal diagnosis. Dr (Prof) M. Srinivas the Director AIIMS Delhi has already expressed the commitment of his institution towards health and wellbeing of tribal people and assured full support to the efforts of the Ministry in this respect. Shri. Nayer said these centers are being set up in AIIMS and other medical colleges across the 15 state. He called on the medical fraternities to initiate effort for setting up a course in medical science which could give thrust on the Tribal health. One national specialize reference center on tribal health could be set up in AIIMS New Delhi which could provide assistance to the hospitals located in tribal dominated areas in different states and districts, it could provide clues why malnutrition is occurring despite several measures, it has to examine whether it’s the genetic or any other reason, the secretary added. Shri. Nayer informed that in the field of medicine we have developed lot of things, it indicates that in India there is no dearth of mind space, keeping in view this facts government of India proposes to set up a Drug Development prize that could be from Rs 1 core to 10 core, such centers could be set up in collaboration with the AIIMS in New Delhi. 

There is only a single drug available as on date for the management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). There is currently no option to select a drug from a spectrum of drugs options for management of a patient, depending on his/her body conditions and severity of the disease. This problem gets augmented in special situations like pregnancy, other serious medical conditions etc.  Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of a new drug/s for the management of the disease. The Ministry in collaboration with AIIMS Delhi will undertake a competition for drug development; the selected proposal will be funded up to Rs 10 cores for the drug development.

As part of World Sickle Cell Day, mega state level events will be held on 19.06.2025 in all 17 SCD Mission states. District level events will be organized in all 365 districts, where the Mission is operational.

SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

This is a genetic disorder causing a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anaemia, acute painful episodes, blockade of blood vessels, and organ damage along with the significant reduction in life expectancy.The disease is predominantly seen among tribal people in the country.

Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission: The National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia was launched on July 1st, 2023 by Hon’ble Prime Minister at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.  Ministry of Tribal affairs (MoTA) is supporting Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in the Mission, through awareness generation activities among tribal populations.

World Sickle Cell Day:19th June is annually observed as world sickle cell day with the intension to educate the public about the disease, its impact, and the importance of early diagnosis and management.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has organized an event on the occasion of world sickle cell day at AIIMS Delhi, the event was inaugurated by  Minister of states for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey. The MoS has stressed the need to create more awareness about the disease to achieve the Mission objectives. He emphasized the government’s commitment towards improving the treatment facilities in all peripheral hospitals, with special focus on tribal dominated areas.  With better care and management sickle cell patients can lead a more healthy and meaningful life. He pointed out that the Ministry through its outreach programs is trying to reduce the stigma associated with the disease. The Minister further made the following announcements:

National Tribal Health and Research Institute: The Ministry will establish an advanced Centre for Tribal health and Research Institute under AIIMS Delhi. The proposed institute will act as an advanced research Centre for diseases particularly predominant among tribal people; the Centre will guide the Government in policy formulations also. This Centre will also have an outpatient and inpatient facilities for providing highest quality medical care to tribal people. Provisions for seamless referrals from peripheral hospitals in tribal dominated areas will be explored.

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RN/PIB

(Release ID: 2137717)