OneSCD
Why in News?
On 24 September 2026, India co-hosted the official launch of OneSCD on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.
Core Partners & Hosts
- Host Nation: The initiative was hosted by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Co-Hosting Partners: It brought together a global coalition including India, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Africa CDC, the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Objectives & Purpose
- Strengthening International Cooperation: It aims to connect global political leadership, technical expertise, and financing mechanisms behind country-led health programs.
- Bridging Health Gaps: A major focus is placed on eliminating barriers to care caused by geographical location (place of residence) and socio-economic circumstances.
- Improving the Continuum of Care: The partnership scales up efforts to improve access to prevention, newborn/childhood screening, diagnostics, and affordable long-term treatments.
Key Components of the Framework
- Population-Wide Screening: Facilitates the early identification of affected individuals and genetic carriers.
- Early Diagnosis: Emphasizes newborn screening and rapid diagnostics to initiate prompt medical management.
- Comprehensive Counselling: Provides medical and genetic support systems for both patients and their families.
- Treatment and Continuous Follow-up: Ensures patients retain long-term connection to medical care, including affordable access to essential therapies like hydroxyurea.
India’s Alignment and Flagship Mission
- The 2047 Elimination Goal: At the launch, India highlighted its own National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (launched in 2023), which aims to completely eliminate SCD as a public health problem by 2047.
- Scale of Progress: India shared its population-scale milestones achieved under its national mission, including:
- Over 7.29 crore people screened
- More than 20 lakh carriers identified
- 2.5 lakh individuals diagnosed
- Distribution of over 4.93 crore digital Sickle Cell Cards to streamline follow-up tracking.
- Advanced Research: India also highlighted its current local research into developing an indigenous, affordable gene-editing therapy for SCD.
