Latest news with #NationalSickleCellAnaemiaEliminationMission
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Over 20 lakh from tribal areas screened for sickle cell anaemia in past 8 years: CSIR DG
New Delhi: More than 20 lakh people from tribal areas have been screened since we started the sickle cell anaemia project eight years back, said CSIR 's Director General Nallathamby Kalaiselvi , terming it among the institute's more successful missions. Introduced in the Union Budget 2023 and launched in July the same year, the ' National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission ' is aimed at eliminating the blood disease from the country by the end of 2047. The genetic disorder affects red blood cells, making them sickle-shaped, instead of the usual round one. Common symptoms include acute painful episodes, blocking of blood vessels and possible organ damage. Speaking to PTI Videos, Kalaiselvi, who is also the Secretary of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said, "While the country started talking about sickle cell anaemia only three years back, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) started addressing sickle cell anaemia eight years back, thanks to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, who gave the funding for the first five to six years." "It is actually one of our very visionary, successful missions, I would say," she said. Kalaiselvi made history when she was appointed the first woman chief of CSIR -- the country's largest research and development organisation, with 37 national laboratories and over 3,400 scientists. She explained that the sickle cell anaemia mission was divided into three parts, first being the screening and surveillance done by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. "If you just see the screening and surveillance, it is a great success story for our team, headed by Dr Giriraj Chandak (at CCMB), which went to Raipur, Bilaspur and other places," Kalaiselvi said, adding that 20 lakh people have been screened so far. "They interacted with the tribal communities and provided counselling pre and post-marriage, before and during pregnancy, and also after child birth," she explained. "The second part looked at drugs and medicines that could be utilised for sickle cell anaemia. This was headed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology," Kalaiselvi added. The third part, involving genome sequencing and editing, was headed by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, the 58-year-old said. Kalaiselvi said, "Now, after five to six years, we realised the great potential of coming up with a sickle cell anaemia detection kit, developed by (Chandak's) group." Explaining the working of the kit, she said, "Using one drop of dried blood, you can easily understand if you have a threat of developing sickle cell anaemia... if you are a carrier or patient... or what is the severity of the condition." "It is going to cost even less than Rs 100, and you need not depend upon sophisticated instruments from now onwards," she added. Born in February, 1967, in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, Kalaiselvi graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Government Arts College in Tirunelveli. She obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Chemistry from Coimbatore's Government Arts College and completed her PhD at Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Kalaiselvi also talked about introducing lithium and sodium ion batteries in the consumer market. "Thanks to the Government of India, with the 'Production Linked Incentive' (PLI) scheme, we have established a full-fledged facility in Chennai wherein one can produce 1,000 cylindrical lithium ion cells," the director general said. The PLI scheme is among the Central government's efforts directed at positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub through innovation, efficiency and competitiveness. Kalaiselvi also said that lithium resources have been identified in India, at least in four places, even as she desisted from naming them.
The Print
2 days ago
- Health
- The Print
Over 20 lakh from tribal areas screened for sickle cell anaemia in past 8 years: CSIR DG
The genetic disorder affects red blood cells, making them sickle-shaped, instead of the usual round one. Common symptoms include acute painful episodes, blocking of blood vessels and possible organ damage. Introduced in the Union Budget 2023 and launched in July the same year, the 'National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission' is aimed at eliminating the blood disease from the country by the end of 2047. New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) More than 20 lakh people from tribal areas have been screened since we started the sickle cell anaemia project eight years back, said CSIR's Director General Nallathamby Kalaiselvi, terming it among the institute's more successful missions. Speaking to PTI Videos, Kalaiselvi, who is also the Secretary of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said, 'While the country started talking about sickle cell anaemia only three years back, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) started addressing sickle cell anaemia eight years back, thanks to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, who gave the funding for the first five to six years.' 'It is actually one of our very visionary, successful missions, I would say,' she said. Kalaiselvi made history when she was appointed the first woman chief of CSIR — the country's largest research and development organisation, with 37 national laboratories and over 3,400 scientists. She explained that the sickle cell anaemia mission was divided into three parts, first being the screening and surveillance done by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. 'If you just see the screening and surveillance, it is a great success story for our team, headed by Dr Giriraj Chandak (at CCMB), which went to Raipur, Bilaspur and other places,' Kalaiselvi said, adding that 20 lakh people have been screened so far. 'They interacted with the tribal communities and provided counselling pre and post-marriage, before and during pregnancy, and also after child birth,' she explained. 'The second part looked at drugs and medicines that could be utilised for sickle cell anaemia. This was headed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology,' Kalaiselvi added. The third part, involving genome sequencing and editing, was headed by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, the 58-year-old said. Kalaiselvi said, 'Now, after five to six years, we realised the great potential of coming up with a sickle cell anaemia detection kit, developed by (Chandak's) group.' Explaining the working of the kit, she said, 'Using one drop of dried blood, you can easily understand if you have a threat of developing sickle cell anaemia… if you are a carrier or patient… or what is the severity of the condition.' 'It is going to cost even less than Rs 100, and you need not depend upon sophisticated instruments from now onwards,' she added. Born in February, 1967, in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, Kalaiselvi graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Government Arts College in Tirunelveli. She obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Chemistry from Coimbatore's Government Arts College and completed her PhD at Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Kalaiselvi also talked about introducing lithium and sodium ion batteries in the consumer market. 'Thanks to the Government of India, with the 'Production Linked Incentive' (PLI) scheme, we have established a full-fledged facility in Chennai wherein one can produce 1,000 cylindrical lithium ion cells,' the director general said. The PLI scheme is among the Central government's efforts directed at positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub through innovation, efficiency and competitiveness. Kalaiselvi also said that lithium resources have been identified in India, at least in four places, even as she desisted from naming them. PTI DR KRS KRS This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Early Clues, Lifelong Impact: Understanding Sickle Cell DiseaseUntitled Story
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of India's persistent public health concerns. It is a genetic blood disorder that alters the shape and function of red blood cells. These cells become sickle-shaped, stiff, and sticky, causing them to block blood flow. This can result in a range of complications, from pain crisis, extreme fatigue, infections, delayed growth, and organ damage. India faces 1.4 million SCD cases, with 20 million carriers nationwide SCD has a significant prevalence in India, particularly in certain high-risk regions across central and eastern states. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), approximately 20 million individuals carry the sickle cell trait, with over 1.4 million cases of SCD reported nationwide. Early identification remains the most effective way to prevent long-term damage. Why Early Detection Matters Many babies are screened for SCD at birth in countries with strong neonatal screening programs. In India, however, awareness is still growing, and universal screening is being scaled gradually under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. Launched by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023, this mission aims to screen over 7 crore people by 2026 and eliminate the disease as a public health issue by 2047. Source: PIB – National Sickle Cell Mission, July 2023 Unfortunately, in the absence of early diagnosis, children with SCD may go undiagnosed until they experience a severe health episode. Subtle signs often mistaken for common ailments can be early indicators that something is wrong. Early Signs You Shouldn't Ignore 1. Unexplained Fatigue or Weakness Children with SCD often suffer from anaemia, resulting in chronic fatigue or breathlessness even after mild exertion. 2. Swollen Hands or Feet in Infants A condition known as "dactylitis," or painful swelling in hands and feet, can be one of the earliest signs of blocked blood flow due to sickled cells. 3. Recurring Infections The spleen, which plays a key role in fighting infections, may become damaged early in children with SCD, making them more vulnerable to fevers, pneumonia, and other bacterial infections. 4. Yellowing of the Eyes or Skin Jaundice is common in children with SCD due to the rapid breakdown of defective red blood cells. 5. Delayed Growth and Puberty Lack of healthy red blood cells can impact physical growth and hormonal development. 6. Pain Episodes or 'Pain Crises' Even without visible injury, children may complain of severe pain in the chest, abdomen, bones, or joints. These episodes can last hours or days. 'Sickle Cell Disease is not curable in all cases, but it is preventable and manageable. Early screening—especially premarital or prenatal—can significantly reduce the disease burden. And for those diagnosed, timely medical care can vastly improve quality of life,' says Dr. Dipty Jain, Former Chair, Dept of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Nagpur, and Chairman of the Task Force on SCD Elimination. Taking Action If your child or someone in your family is showing multiple signs listed above—or if there is a family history of the disease—consult a medical professional. A simple blood test, such as the haemoglobin electrophoresis test or solubility test, can detect whether someone is a carrier or has the disease. Treatment and Management Options While there is currently no universal cure, treatment options can help manage the disease effectively: Hydroxyurea: A medication that reduces pain episodes and the need for transfusions. Vaccinations & Antibiotics: Essential to reduce infection risk, especially in young children. Routine Monitoring: Regular health checkups to monitor organ function and growth. Bone Marrow Transplant: The only known potential cure for some patients, especially children with matched donors. A National Call to Action India's National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission is now operational in 17 states and 278 districts. As of March 2024, June 2025, over 5,79,35,688 crore individuals have been screened. The mission prioritizes awareness, outreach, and community engagement, especially in regions with higher genetic prevalence. Source: In Closing Sickle Cell Disease rarely announces itself loudly. It enters quietly, through pain episodes, fatigue, mild fevers, or a child who seems to fall ill too often. But by recognising the early signs, seeking testing, and beginning treatment, we can change the story. Every timely diagnosis is a step towards healthier, longer lives and a future free from the burden of this inherited condition. Sources: National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission Guidelines – NHM, MoHFW Press Information Bureau: National Sickle Cell Mission Launch – July 2023 UN Resolution A/RES/63/237 – Recognition of World Sickle Cell Day PIB: Progress Update – March 2024 Note: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have the journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. The information provided does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a registered medical practitioner for health-related concerns.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Sickle Cell Mission identifies over two lakh patients through mass screening
Ganesh V. Dante could not understand why his seven-year-old son was frequently falling ill. A traditional doctor in his village in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, had been treating the child since birth, 'but his condition never really improved.' 'It was only through screening under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM), launched in 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that my son was found to have sickle cell and has been getting treatment for it. He is doing much better now and has even started school,' Mr. Ganesh said. His son is among the more than 5.72 crore people who have been screened under NSCAEM so far, leading to the identification of 2.09 lakh persons with the disease and 16.3 lakh trait carriers, according to figures released recently by the Union Health Ministry. 'The goal of the mission now is to screen approximately seven crore people under the age of 40 across 17 States till 2025-26, aiming to enhance the diagnosis, treatment and care for those with sickle cell disease,' said Manisha Madkaikar, Director, Indian Council of Medical Research-Centre for Research, Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies. She emphasised that sickle cell disease can be contained to a large extent by ensuring all pregnant women and newborns are screened and followed up for early diagnosis and timely care. 'This is the key to countering the growing numbers of patients with sickle cell,' she added. The nationwide screening, being carried out under the National Health Mission (NHM), places a particular emphasis on tribal populations and includes States such as Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. 'The National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission has given the guidelines. The first is universal screening — in areas with a very high prevalence of sickle cell disease, the entire population under the age of 40 is screened. Currently, the plan is to screen nearly seven crore individuals for sickle cell disease,' Dr. Madkaikar said. India carries a significant burden of sickle cell disease (SCD), particularly among tribal populations. More than 50% of cases are concentrated in States such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. 'Working with tribal populations is a challenge due to their faith in traditional systems of medicine, deep-rooted fear of the modern system, lack of accessibility, and the need for timely follow-up,' Dr. Madkaikar said. She noted that Maharashtra now ensures hydroxyurea — the key medicine for SCD — reaches patients through trained frontline health workers. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder characterised by abnormal haemoglobin, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped, leading to a host of health complications. While particularly prevalent in tribal communities, the disease also affects non-tribal groups. Rasmi Palassery, Consultant, Paediatric Oncologist, Haematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician at Ramaiah Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, pointed to several gaps in India's response to SCD. 'There is a need for a dynamic national registry to determine the actual load of sickle cell anaemia in our country, aggressive screening of pregnant women and newborns, and the provision of comprehensive care,' she said. 'This is vital as sickle cell anaemia is, in the end, a multi-system, chronic disorder.' 'This, coupled with the social stigma, makes families delay seeking help, as they want to hide the fact that this disease exists. India also needs specialised care centres, diagnostic laboratories, and trained staff to ensure early diagnosis and care,' she added.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047
'Sickle Cell Disease is a disease that impacts tribal sections of societies significantly. The government is committed to eliminate the disease before India celebrates its Amrit Kaal in 2047.' This is what Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said while launching the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, on 1 July 2023. Late one summer afternoon in a remote village in Jharkhand, 16-year-old Asha sat under a neem tree, her textbooks in her lap. The youngest of five siblings from a tribal family, Asha had spent much of her childhood battling crippling bouts of pain that would leave her bedridden for days. It wasn't until a government screening camp reached her village that she learned the cause — sickle cell anaemia, a genetic blood disorder that had quietly stalked her community for generations. Asha's story is far from unique. Across India's tribal heartlands — from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to Gujarat and Maharashtra — thousands of young boys and girls like her are born with sickle cell disease (SCD), their lives shaped by an inherited condition that warps red blood cells and restricts oxygen flow. The disease brings severe pain, frequent infections, organ damage, and — all too often — an early death. For decades, in these isolated communities with limited healthcare access and low awareness, the burden of SCD remained largely hidden. India, home to the world's second-largest tribal population, accounts for more than 42,000 newborns with SCD every year — a grim reminder of a long-neglected public health challenge. In many tribal belts, the prevalence of the sickle cell trait ranges from 1% to 40%. Generations of consanguineous marriages and the historic presence of malaria, which once gave the sickle cell trait a survival advantage, only deepened the crisis. But change is now underway. The Government of India launched the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission in 2023 — a bold effort to break this cycle of suffering. For young girls like Asha, this mission offers not just treatment — but hope. Driven by the ministry of tribal affairs and the ministry of health and family welfare, the mission is anchored in an ambitious goal: To eradicate SCD as a public health threat by 2047, in step with India's vision for Amrit Kaal. The strategy rests on universal screening, early detection, and community-driven awareness — reaching even the most remote villages of India's 17 high-burden states. Progress is already visible. More than one crore people have been screened since the mission began — a staggering feat in a landscape where health services often struggle to reach. In Asha's village, a simple solubility test, followed by a confirmatory HPLC analysis, revealed her condition early enough to start hydroxyurea therapy — reducing her painful episodes and allowing her to return to school. Critically, the mission integrates sickle cell care into the vast network of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, created through PM Modi's flagship health care vision. These community hubs — familiar and trusted by locals — now provide screening, counselling, and ongoing treatment. Health care workers like ASHAs and ANMs are not only delivering medicines but educating families about the disease and genetic counseling, equipping them with knowledge that was once absent. For tribal girls and women, the mission's impact is life changing. Maternal health outcomes, previously marred by frequent complications, are improving. Pregnant women with SCD now receive specialised care, reducing the risks of premature births and infant mortality. In states like Gujarat, nearly one lakh tribal women screened have already benefited from targeted interventions. Technology is also playing a vital role. Through smart cards and digital health records — accessible in local languages — families can track their health status and make informed decisions about marriage and childbirth, breaking the generational transmission of the disease. Community figures like Theresa Naik, an SCD patient turned ANM in Jharkhand, are becoming powerful advocates, inspiring others to come forward. Economically, the mission eases a heavy burden. Previously, tribal families often faced financial ruin from repeated hospital visits. Now, with the rollout of over three crore Ayushman Bharat digital cards, covering treatment up to ₹5 lakh, families can access free care — a crucial support in regions of endemic poverty. For Asha and her peers, the transformation is tangible. Once confined by illness, she now attends school regularly, dreams of becoming a teacher, and educates younger children about SCD in her village. As India approaches its centenary in 2047, the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission stands as more than a health care initiative. It is a testament to empathetic governance — one that listens to the voices of its most marginalised citizens and acts with urgency. For India's tribal communities, it offers dignity, inclusion, and the promise of a healthier future. For girls like Asha, it means no longer living in the shadow of a disease they never chose — but stepping into the light of possibility. This article is authored by Tuhin A Sinha, national spokesperson, BJP.
