Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission
ICMR validated 30 Point of care tests and 5 Non-Rapid Diagnostic Test assays for SCD screening nationwide
Over 6 crore screenings conducted in 17 tribal-dominated states as of July 2025
Standardized cost norm of ₹100 set for sickle cell disease screening
15 Centres of Excellence approved across 14 states with funding support from Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Posted On:
19 AUG 2025 3:04PM by PIB Delhi
Under National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM), screenings are conducted at all health facilities from District Hospitals up to Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) level across the country for diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease. As on date, a total of 30 Point of care tests (PoCT) and 5 Non-Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Assays validated tests for screening of SCD have been approved by ICMR and are used by States for screening. As on 31.07.2025, a total of 6,07,30,111 screenings have been done in the 17 identified tribal dominated States. Cost norms for screening of SCD have been approved as Rs. 100/person which includes cost of screening, record keeping and related cost.
Patients living with SCD are provided with the following services/ facilities for improving their quality of life through AAM- Sub Health Centres (SHC) and AAM- Primary Health Centres (PHCs):
• Follow-up of diseased individuals at frequent intervals.
• Counseling regarding lifestyle management, pre-marriage and pre-natal decisions.
• Nutritional supplementation support through distribution of folic acid tablets.
• Conducting yoga and wellness sessions.
• Management of crisis symptoms and referral to higher facilities.
Through Ministry of Tribal Affairs, awareness and counseling material have been developed and disseminated to the States & UTs. Through monthly Ayushman Arogya Shivirs, awareness is raised for various health programmes including SCD.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidelines for cost norms for establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoE) on SCD funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in various states. As on date, 15 CoEs have been approved in the country across 14 States by MoTA.
Under Department of Health Research, ICMR has established the ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh and a Centre for Research Management and Control of Hemoglobinopathies in Chandrapur, Maharashtra which supports national programs including sickle cell disease.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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MV
HFW/ PQ/Update on NSCAEM/19 August2025/3
(Release ID: 2157878)