Eradicating sickle cell disease securing the future of India’s tribal communities
Present circumstances:
- The Indian government is constantly working to guarantee that everyone, even those at the lowest social levels, may take use of the state-of-the-art medical treatments available there.
Ensuring inclusive health in native communities:
- In India, there are roughly 706 different tribal groups, accounting for 8.6% of the total population. The rich cultural past of our country is greatly influenced by the tribal population.
- The Indian government prioritises the welfare of the tribal people and takes into account their moral codes, cultural practises, socioeconomic status, and tribal affiliations.
- Sickle cell illness is a serious health issue for India’s tribal population. The hereditary disease sickle cell produces deformed red blood cells with a sickle shape.
- People of Native American descent typically experience this ailment. Given that it seriously jeopardises the future and survival of our indigenous populations, it is imperative to stop the spread of this disease as soon as possible.
Sickle Cell Anaemia Total Elimination Mission 2047:
- In the central budget for the fiscal year 2023–2024, the government declared the launch of the national campaign “Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission 2047” to eradicate the sickle cell issue.
- Sickle cell disease can appear in two separate ways within the human body. One is the Sickle Cell trait, which enables a person to live a typical life free of the disease’s indications and symptoms. The second kind differs from the first in that it exhibits sickle cell disease symptoms.
- 13 of the states in the country—Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra—have a high prevalence of sickle cell disease. Four additional states—Bihar, Assam, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh—have it to some extent as well.
An all-encompassing plan to end sickle cell disease:
- Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients deal with a variety of health problems that significantly lower their quality of life, including anaemia, fatigue, and chronic discomfort.
- In the effort to end sickle cell anaemia, two tactics are being used.
- The first technique tries to halt the growth of new cases, while the second concentrates on regulating the disease’s treatment and giving individuals who are already ill proper healthcare.
- A complete ecosystem is currently being developed to address these problems and ensure that people with sickle cell anaemia have access to proper medical treatment and management.
- A child born to two carriers of the Sickle Cell trait has a high chance of developing the disease as well.
- To prevent the disease from spreading, people should be tested for the Sickle Cell trait prior to marriage. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Health will examine more than 70 million people between the ages of 0 and 40 who belong to tribal and other groups and live in roughly 200 districts across 17 states. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the states collaborated on the creation of this strategy. There shouldn’t be any sickle cell instances by 2047.
- Smart cards in their original languages will be given to those who have undergone screening, enabling prospective partners to easily determine if their future children will be affected by Sickle Cell disease or not.
- At several levels, monitoring methods will be set up to guarantee participation and promote awareness during the complete program’s implementation.
- Those who undergo routine testing and obtain a diagnosis of the disease as a result of screening will have prompt access to counselling services, therapy, and medication. They will also receive vaccinations against additional diseases. All of these clauses will be guaranteed.
The Ayushman Bharat programme made a significant contribution:
- Thanks to these institutions, the sickle cell disease will be virtually eliminated along with other diseases. Healthcare workers have acquired training to appropriately treat sickle cell patients in these hospitals.
- An online site has been created using digital technologies to track and maintain an extensive database of sickle cell patients.
Conclusion:
- By allocating a sufficient funding, deploying cutting-edge technology, training healthcare personnel, ensuring the necessary infrastructure, and promoting social awareness and engagement, the government has made an effort to treat this condition. These projects are the result of strong resolve and thoughtful policy decisions.
- By ensuring the survival of the tribal people in India, which has conserved the country’s heritage, this goal would pave the way for the eradication of sickle cell anaemia by the year 2047.
