Under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission, India achieves milestone of 6 crore screenings

(Forelines) – Six crore people have been screened for sickle cell disease (SCD), compared to the 7 crore that the National Sickle Cell Mission aimed to screen. Out of those screened, 16.7 lakh carriers and 2.15 lakh people with the disease have been found. Additionally, the tested persons have received 2.6 crore health cards from the different states, according to Indian Ministry of and Family Welfare said in a Statement.

States including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand have made great success by obtaining a high proportion of screening relative to their targets. It has been shown that the states with the greatest reported incidence of diagnosed cases are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.

Screening for SCD is being undertaken utilizing validated Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits, which ensure speedy, reliable, and confirming results. Additionally, screening data from all participating states has been consolidated through the creation of a sickle cell disease portal and a dedicated dashboard.

“Future priorities encompass intensifying screening efforts to meet the remaining target and ensuring follow-up and counselling services for individuals diagnosed as diseased or carriers,” Indian Ministry of and Family Welfare said.

On July 1, 2023, the Honorable Prime Minister officially opened the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.

By raising awareness, screening 7 crore people aged 0–40 in impacted tribal areas by FY 2025–2026, and offering counseling through joint efforts by central ministries and state governments, the mission seeks to eradicate sickle cell anemia in India by 2047.