National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
Why in News?
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission is in the news because India successfully achieved its target of screening 7 crore (70 million) people ahead of schedule, as highlighted by President Droupadi Murmu on International Sickle Cell Day.
About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
- Genetic Disorder: An inherited single-gene blood disorder that mutates normal red blood cells into a rigid, crescent, or "sickle" shape.
- Health Impact: Sickled cells obstruct vital blood flow, resulting in severe periodic pain crises, chronic anemia, jaundice, and potential vital organ failure.
- Global Burden Status: India records the third-highest number of global SCD births annually, trailing only Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Legal Recognition: Classified as one of the 21 specified disabilities listed within India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Objectives of the Mission
- Target Year: Aiming to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health issue in India before 2047, marking the centenary of India's independence.
- Affordable Care: Assuring primary access to quality and affordable health care services for all diagnosed SCD patients.
- Prevalence Reduction: Dropping transmission rates via intensive public screening, community health awareness, and pre-marital genetic counseling.
Key Features & Implementation
- Launch Date: Officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 July 2023, in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
- Joint Ministerial Model: Executed via an integrated collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Demographic Focus: Prioritizes 278 districts across 17 high-prevalence states, targeting India's tribal communities who are disproportionately affected by the genetic trait.
- Diagnostic Strategy: Utilizes rapid Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits and solubility tests, backed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) confirmations.
- Digital Tracking: Employs unique Sickle Cell Genetic Status Cards distributed to citizens to encourage safe marital matching, alongside a real-time central web portal dashboard.
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