Context
- President Droupadi Murmu, during a Madhya Pradesh Government event in Khandwa district (Omkareshwar), emphasized India’s commitment to eliminating sickle cell-related diseases. She stated that with active participation from all States, India aims to achieve its national goal well before the government-set target of 2047.
Key Highlights
- Target Year for Eradication: 2047 is the official target year set by the Government of India to eradicate Sickle Cell Anaemia.
- National Mission Launch: The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched in 2023.
- Key Milestones Achieved: Ahead of schedule, the mission has screened 7 crore (70 million) people in the age group of 0 to 40 years.
- Vulnerable Population: Scientific studies highlight that the prevalence of sickle cell anaemia is significantly higher among tribal communities compared to the general population.
What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?
- Nature of Disease: It is an inherited/genetic blood disorder (passes from one generation to another).
- Mechanism: It affects the shape of red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Instead of being round and flexible, the RBCs become rigid, sticky, and shaped like a sickle or crescent moon.
- It is Non-communicable and non-contagious.
- The most common causes are iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic diseases, blood loss, and inherited disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia.
- Impact: These abnormally shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, slowing or blocking blood flow and oxygen delivery, leading to severe pain, tissue damage, and anemia.
Symptoms
- Chronic anaemia
- Severe pain episodes (vaso-occlusive crises)
- Fatigue
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Frequent infections
- Delayed growth in children
- Stroke, kidney damage, lung complications (severe cases)
Treatment
- Pain management
- Blood transfusion
- Hydroxyurea therapy
- Folic acid supplementation
- Bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation (curative in selected patients)
- Gene therapy (emerging treatment)
Government Initiatives Against Anaemia
1. Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)
- Launched in 2018.
- Part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan.
- Focuses on reducing anaemia among:
- Children
- Adolescents
- Women of reproductive age
- Pregnant and lactating women
2. Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)
3. POSHAN Abhiyaan
4. National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI)
Consider the following statements regarding the National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia:
1. It was launched in 2023.
2. Its target is to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047.
3. It primarily targets individuals between 0 and 40 years of age.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
All three statements are correct.
1. It was launched in 2023.
o The National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia (NMSCA) was launched by the Government of India on 1 July 2023.
2. Its target is to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047.
o The mission aims to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease as a public health problem by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India's independence.
3. It primarily targets individuals between 0 and 40 years of age.
o The mission aims to screen approximately 7 crore people in the 0–40 years age group, especially in tribal-dominated areas.