Mandatory sickle cell testing for students urged by Dr Vinky Rughwani
Speaking ahead of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, Dr Rughwani emphasised the need for widespread screening to curb the spread of this debilitating genetic disorder, which causes severe pain and requires lifelong medical care.
SCD, inherited when both parents carry the sickle cell trait, is prevalent in communities like Buddhist, Teli, Mahar, Kunbi, and tribal populations, particularly in regions like Vidarbha.
Symptoms include chronic pain in the limbs, abdomen, and joints, low haemoglobin levels, and the need for frequent blood transfusions.
Dr Rughwani highlighted that while a bone marrow transplant—costing Rs 14–15 lakh—is the only cure, it is expensive and risky, making prevention critical.
The central govt's 'Sickle Cell Free India' campaign already screened lakhs of individuals, but Dr Rughwani advocates for mandatory testing at the university level to identify carriers early and prevent disease transmission.
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"Early screening can save future generations from this preventable condition," he said.
In a proactive step, the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society, in collaboration with Sankalp India Foundation, launched a screening programme across Maharashtra's govt hospitals and medical colleges. The initiative tests all pregnant women in their first trimester using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
If a woman is a carrier of the sickle cell trait or Thalassemia Minor, her partner is tested, he said.
If both are carriers, Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) at 12 weeks of pregnancy is recommended to prevent the birth of an affected child. This project, already operational in Vidarbha, is expanding statewide.
Dr Rughwani also noted that SCD is now covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017, granting affected individuals educational reservations and access to govt schemes.
Recent reforms in the Disability Certification Act simplified obtaining disability certificates, further supporting patients.
To manage SCD, patients rely on lifelong medications like Hydroxyurea and Folic Acid, alongside regular blood tests and sonographies. Dr Rughwani stressed that testing before marriage is crucial, as carriers often lead normal lives unaware of their status. "A simple test can prevent a lifetime of suffering," he urged.
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