World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

June 19 is designated as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.

Sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal red blood cells that take on a crescent or sickle shape. These irregularly shaped cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to various health complications.

Theme for 2024 - Hope Through Progress: Advancing Care Globally

The international awareness day is observed with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.

Sickle cell disease in India

Affecting millions of people in the world, the disease disproportionately affects the tribal populations in India. India has the largest density of tribal population, globally. As per Census 2011, India has an 8.6% tribal population which is 67.8 million across the Indian states. 

Efforts of the government to create awareness

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Tribal Health report 2018 has identified sickle cell disease as one of the 10 special problems in tribal heath that affect the tribal people disproportionately. Hence, under its National Health Mission, work was initiated on hemoglobinopathies (Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Disease) in 2016 wherein comprehensive guidelines on prevention and management of heamoglobinopathies were released and provision of funds towards screening and management of Sickle cell disease were made. Thereafter, as per the State’s proposals, support is continuously being provided.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

During July 2023, a Mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2047 was launched. It entails awareness creation, universal screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in affected tribal areas, and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments. The lead Ministry in this regard is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) with the supporting Ministry being the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). 

Initially, the focus shall be on 17 states with higher prevalence of SCD viz., Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Uttarakhand. 

Source : National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Related resources

1. Guidelines & Training Materials on Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission