Sickle Cell Anaemia

Context:

India is the second affected country in terms of predicted births with Sickle cell anaemia i.e. chances of being born with the condition.

About Sickle cell anaemia:

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Abnormal Shape: People with sickle cell anaemia have abnormal haemoglobin that causes their red blood cells to become rigid and shaped like a crescent or sickle.
These abnormally shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, causing a variety of complications.
Some of the common symptoms of sickle cell anaemia include:
- anaemia, pain crisis, fatigue, jaundice, delayed growth, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Occurence: It is most commonly found in people of African descent, but it can also occur in people of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean descent.

Impact in India:

Vulnerable Tribal Population: Research and screening programmes have found that the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies — disorders of the blood — is more common among tribal populations than non tribal communities in India.
Impact of Malaria: Research has shown that SCA is prevalent in communities residing in areas where malaria is endemic.
Endogamy: Additionally, the documented prevalence of SCA is higher in communities that practise endogamy, as the chances of having two parents with sickle cell trait is higher.

Cure:

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder, making complete “elimination” a challenge that requires major scientific breakthroughs.
The only cure comes in the form of gene therapy and stem cell transplants — both costly and still in developmental stages.
Blood transfusion, wherein red blood cells are removed from donated blood and given to a patient, is also a trusted treatment in the absence of permanent cures.

What has India done so far?

The Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Rural Health Mission in different States are undertaking outreach programmes for better management and control of the disease.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched a portal wherein people can register themselves if they have the disease or the trait, in order to collate all information related to SCA among tribal groups.
In the Budget, the Union Health Minister said the government plans to distribute “special cards” across tribal areas to people below the age of 40.