MADHYA PRADESH SICKLE CELL MISSION

Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the ‘Madhya Pradesh Sickle Cell (Hemoglobinopathy) Mission’, which aims at spreading awareness among people about genetic disorders including ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia.’

Aim of this mission : It aims at screening and managing patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. Under the mission, genetic counselling cards were handed over to beneficiaries.

What is Hemoglobinopathy? : a group of genetically inherited disorders in which the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood- haemoglobin is shaped differently (mostly elongated like a sickle) instead of normal, round or disc shape.

What is Sickle Cell Anaemia? : A common genetic blood illness that affects a person's normal development as well as can become fatal if not diagnosed early. Aside from stunting a person's natural growth, it causes extreme pain crises, acute chest syndrome, high-grade fever, and periodic swelling in various body parts.It is a genetic disorder and can be passed on from infected parents to children.

Prevalence in MP:

- As per National Health Mission Report in Madhya Pradesh, the state has the highest burden of sickle cell anaemia in India.

- 10%-33% of the tribal population in Madhya Pradesh is sickle gene affected, & 0.70% are sickle diseased (SS/Homozygous).

- The health mission holds special importance as the people of the ‘Janjatiya Community’ have deeply suffered from the disorder in the past because of unawareness. The impact of the genetically transferred ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia’ is more profound in the tribal community.