Sickle Cell Anaemia Combating Initiatives of India Flashcards
NEWS
A plan to issue permanent disability certificates for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients above the age of 5 years has been stuck in a dilemma between three Union Ministries (Health,Social Justice and Empowerment, Tribal Affairs) for nearly three years.
What Causes Delays in Issuing Permanent Disability Certificates for SCD?
After SCD was included in the list of disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, of 2016, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) increased the validity of disability certificates for SCD patients from one year to three years, but still required a minimum of 25% disability.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which is in charge of setting the criteria and rules for the certificates.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issues the certificates, while the Ministry of Tribal Affairs advocates for the rights of SCD patients.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Empowerment of Women noted that SCD is a “lifelong illness” with a blood and bone marrow transplant being the only cure, “which very few people, especially among the tribal population, can undertake.”
They urged the government to expedite the process of issuing permanent or longer-term certificates for SCD patients.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is expected to release a report on the issue by October 2023.
What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
SCD is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. In SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.”
Symptoms:
Symptoms of sickle cell disease can vary, but some common symptoms include:
Chronic Anaemia: leading to fatigue, weakness, and paleness.
Painful episodes (also known as sickle cell crisis): these can cause sudden and intense pain in the bones, chest, back, arms, and legs.
Delayed growth and puberty
Treatment:
Blood Transfusions: These can help relieve anaemia and reduce the risk of pain crises.
Hydroxyurea: This is a medication that can help reduce the frequency of painful episodes and prevent some of the long-term complications of the disease.
It can also be treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
Government Initiatives to Tackle SCD:
The National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission aims to eliminate sickle cell anemia from India by 2047.
The government released technical operational guidelines for the prevention and control of sickle cell anaemia in 2016.
Integrated centres have also been established in 22 tribal districts for treatment and diagnosis.
The State Haemoglobinopathy Mission has been established in Madhya Pradesh to address the challenges in screening and management of the disease.
Anaemin Mukt Bharat Strategy.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat
Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare provided information on Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy.
In 2018, the Government of India launched the AMB strategy with the target to reduce anaemia in the vulnerable age groups such as women, children and adolescents.
AMB is based on a life cycle approach, providing preventive and curative mechanisms through a 6X6X6 strategy including six target beneficiaries, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms for all stakeholders to implement the strategy.
A snapshot of the Anemia Mukt Bharat 6X6X6 strategy
6 BENEFICIARIES, 6 INTERVENTIONS, 6 INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS.
APPROX 450 MILLION THAT IS HALF OF INDIA’S POPULATION WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS SCHEME.
