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PM Narendra Modi Launched National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

PM Narendra Modi Launched National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

PM Narendra Modi Launched National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

On 1st July, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. During the event, he distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to the beneficiaries. The Prime Minister also started the distribution of around 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards in Madhya Pradesh. In addition, he paid homage to Rani Durgavati, the ruling queen of Gondwana in the mid-16th century.

In his address to the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of Rani Durgavati and mentioned that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, inspired by her, was being launched. He also announced the issuance of 1 crore Ayushman Cards to the people of Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Gond, Bhil, and other Adivasi communities are the biggest beneficiaries of these initiatives.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that has a significant impact on the lives of those affected. It is more commonly found in tribal populations in India, but it can also affect non-tribal individuals. The disease not only causes anemia, but also pain crises, stunted growth, and affects various organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones, and brain.

Therefore, it is now considered necessary to establish a separate scheme or mission dedicated to the detection, management, prevention, and awareness of sickle cell disease. This initiative aims to provide targeted support and resources to tackle the challenges posed by the disease and ensure better outcomes for affected individuals and communities.

Mission

The mission is to improve the care and well-being of all individuals affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and to reduce the prevalence of the disease through a coordinated approach that includes screening and awareness strategies.

Vision

The vision is to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India by the year 2047. We aim to achieve this by increasing community awareness about the disease, implementing mass screening activities for early identification, establishing a robust network for diagnosis and treatment, implementing effective monitoring systems, strengthening primary healthcare to incorporate SCD-related strategies, enhancing the capacity of healthcare teams at all levels, and implementing cost-effective interventions at higher care facilities.

The overall goal is to ensure that all individuals affected by SCD have access to affordable and high-quality healthcare and to reduce the prevalence of the disease through increased awareness, improved practices, and effective screening interventions.

Objectives

The main goals of the mission are:

To achieve these objectives, the mission will focus on various strategies, including creating awareness, strengthening screening and testing facilities, improving laboratory services for diagnosis, facilitating management and treatment, establishing connections between different levels of care, promoting collaboration between different sectors, and ensuring that SCD patients have access to social security schemes and benefits packages.

Strategy

The approach focuses on three main principles:

Beneficiaries

The program will be implemented in a systematic manner to cover the entire population aged zero to 18 years, gradually expanding to include those up to 40 years of age. It will be part of the National Health Mission and will primarily focus on conducting universal screenings, prevention measures, and effective management of sickle cell anemia in tribal areas and regions with high prevalence across states and union territories in India.

In the initial stage, the program will prioritize interventions in states and union territories with a high prevalence of sickle cell disease, particularly those with tribal populations. Subsequently, it will expand to include all states and union territories in a phased manner, taking an incremental approach. Over a period of three and a half years, the mission aims to reach and provide screening, counseling, prevention, and care to approximately 70 million people affected by sickle cell disease.

To ensure efficient utilization of resources and avoid duplication of efforts, the program will integrate with existing mechanisms and strategies under the National Health Mission. Existing platforms such as the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) will be leveraged to achieve the targets set for the Sickle Cell Mission.

FAQs

What is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. In people with sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent moon instead of a round disc. This change in shape makes the red blood cells more likely to clump together, which can block blood flow and cause pain.

What are the causes of sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is caused by a genetic mutation. The mutation changes the shape of the red blood cells, making them more likely to clump together. This can block blood flow and cause pain.

How is sickle cell disease inherited?

Sickle cell disease is inherited from parents. If both parents have the sickle cell gene, there is a 25% chance that their child will have sickle cell disease. If only one parent has the sickle cell gene, there is a 50% chance that their child will have sickle cell trait.

Author

  • Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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