National Mission on Sickle Cell Anaemia

GS Paper II Health

Context:

Prime Minister is going to launch the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

About National Mission on Sickle Cell Anaemia:

It was announced as part of the Union Budget 2023
Aim:
1. To enable access to affordable and quality health care to all patients,
2. To eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047.
Focus area of the Mission:
1. Awareness building
2. Universal screening of seven crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in affected tribal areas
3. Counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments.
Stages:
1. Implementation of mass screening activities for early identification
2. Building a strong network of diagnosis and linkages
3. Implementing robust monitoring system
4. Strengthening the existing primary health care mechanism to incorporate SCD related strategies
5. Capacity building of primary, secondary and tertiary health care teams
6. Building cost-effective intensive interventions at higher care facilities.
Coverage: It will be implemented in 278 districts of 17 high focused states.

About Sickle Cell Disease:

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders.
It affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. Healthy red blood cells are round.
Cause: In someone who has SCD, the haemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a sickle.
Impact: The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow.
Threats posed: Increases the risk of infection and of death from conditions like stroke, heart problems, kidney problems, and pregnancy complications.
Treatment: There’s no cure for sickle cell anaemia. Early detection, management, and treatment of SCD enable the affected individuals to lead a longer life.