‘Will screen all in state for sickle cell anaemia'
Ranchi: The state department of health, medical education and family welfare aims to screen Jharkhand's entire population for sickle cell anaemia within a year, health minister Irfan Ansari said on Thursday.
Addressing a programme, held to observe World Sickle Cell Awareness Day at sadar hospital here, Ansari said a bone marrow transplant centre will soon be set up in the hospital to ensure affordable treatment to the patients of the state.
"Jharkhand has emerged as a model for other states when it comes to testing sickle cell anaemia. The health professionals, including doctors, nurses, ANMs, and GNMs, have played a key role behind this success.
The govt is committed to 100% eradication of the disease in the state," he said.
Ansari said extensive tests are being carried out to detect sickle cell anaemia across all the districts in line with the Centre's National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission 2047.
Health officials and experts said the disease is prevalent in 17 districts, where tribal population dominate the demography.
"Soon, we will set up a Medico City which will provide comprehensive medical care in the state.
Patients will not have to travel outside for treatment," he said.
Health secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh said most of the patients hail from tribal communities. "Out of 1,381 recorded sickle cell anaemia patients in Ranchi district, only 225 are undergoing treatment. We must ensure 100% testing of all population and provide medical attention to those affected by the disease," he said.
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