- 19 June is observed worldwide as World Sickle Cell Day. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder, and the day seeks to raise awareness about the disease amongst the public, government and other stakeholders.
- It also seeks to raise awareness so that the disease can be detected early and preventive measures can be used to provide relief to the patients.
- The theme of the 2024 World Sickle Cell Day Is Hope through progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally.”
Government Mission for Elimination of SCD by 2047
- The government of India has set a target to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease(SCD) by 2047.
- To achieve this goal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, on 1st July 2023.
- The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission is part of the National Health Mission.
Focus area of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
- The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission focuses on the tribal districts of 17 states where the prevalence of the disease is greatest.
- The mission aims to create awareness and universal screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in the affected tribal areas.
Sickle cell disease is more prevalent in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, western Odisha, eastern Gujarat, and certain areas of the Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala.