As many as six crore people across India have been screened for sickle cell disease (SCD) so far under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, nearing the governmentās target of screening seven crore individuals, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Of those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals were diagnosed with the disease, while 16.7 lakh were found to be carriers. States have issued 2.6 crore health cards to individuals who underwent screening, according to the ministry’s latest update.
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States such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand have made significant headway, achieving high coverage rates relative to their screening targets. Meanwhile, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have reported the highest number of SCD cases detected.
The screenings are being carried out using validated point-of-care testing (POCT) kits to ensure quick and accurate diagnosis. A dedicated digital dashboard and an online sickle cell portal have also been developed to centralise and monitor screening data from all participating states.
The ministry emphasised that the next phase will focus on intensifying screening to achieve full coverage, alongside ensuring consistent follow-up and counselling services for individuals diagnosed with the disease or identified as carriers.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 1, 2023, in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aims to eliminate the disease from India by 2047. The mission includes universal screening of seven crore people in tribal and high-risk regions by 2025ā26 and the establishment of robust counselling and awareness programmes.
