National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Source: PIB
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Overview

1. Highlights of the Programme
2. About Sickle Cell Anaemia
3. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister has launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.

Highlights of the Programme

• The PM distributed about 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards in Madhya Pradesh.
• The PM also gave sickle cell genetic status cards to the beneficiaries. 
  • The card will be divided into different categories based on the screening results, if a is male positive and a female is also positive then the chances of giving birth to a positive child are increased. This card will be helpful in the elimination of sickle cell anaemia.
• The Prime Minister honoured Rani Durgavati, the ruling queen of Gondwana in the mid-16th century. She is remembered as a brave, fearless and courageous warrior who fought for freedom against the Mughals.

About Sickle Cell Anaemia

• Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in one of the genes that encode the hemoglobin protein; the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. 
• The mutation causes the red blood cells to take on an unusual sickle shape. The mis-shapen cells lack plasticity and can block small blood vessels, impairing blood flow.
• Impact: This condition leads to shortened red blood cell survival, and subsequent anaemia, often called sickle-cell anaemia. Poor blood oxygen levels and blood vessel blockages in people with sickle-cell disease can lead to chronic acute pain syndromes, severe bacterial infections, and necrosis (tissue death).
  • Individuals affected by sickle cell disease are chronically anemic and experience significant damage to their heart, lungs, and kidneys.
• Causes: It is transmitted by parents carrying a defective ‘beta globin’ gene. For a child to be affected, both mother and father must carry one copy of the sickle cell gene — also known as sickle cell trait — and pass both copies of the altered form to the child.
• Risk groups: Sickle-cell anaemia is particularly common among people whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa, India, Saudi Arabia and Mediterranean countries.  Its Prevalence is higher in communities that practice endogamy, as the chances of having two parents with sickle cell trait is higher.
• Management: Sickle-cell disease can be managed by simple procedures including: high fluid intake, healthy diet, folic acid supplementation, pain medication and vaccination & antibiotics for the prevention and treatment of infections. 
• Cure: The only cure comes in the form of gene therapy and stem cell transplants — both are costly and still in developmental stages. 
• World Sickle Cell Day is observed every year on June 19.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

• Background: The programme was first announced in the Union Budget 2023.

• Coverage: It will be implemented in 17 high-focus states across namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. 
• Objective: It aims to address the significant health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among tribal populations of the country.
• Target: It aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by the year 2047 (i.e. before India celebrates Amrit Kaal in 2047).
• Beneficiaries: The program will cover the entire population from zero to 18 years of age and shall incrementally include the entire population up to 40 years. Over a period of three years, spanning from the fiscal year 2023-24 to 2025-26, the program targets screening approximately 7.0 crore people.
• The strategy emphasizes on Three pillars:
  • Health promotion: Awareness generation & pre-marital genetic counselling.
  • Prevention: Universal screening and early detection.
  • Holistic Management & continuum of care:
    • Management of persons with sickle cell disease at primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels; treatment facilities at tertiary health care facilities
    • Patient support system
    • Community adoption
• Implementation: The programme will be executed as part of the National Health Mission (NHM) and in integration with existing mechanism under NHM such as Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).

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