India Targets Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination by 2047

India has set a national target to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047 under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. The mission was launched on 1 July 2023 from Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh and covers screening, diagnosis, counselling, and care for affected populations.

Sickle Cell Anaemia: Basic Facts

Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormal haemoglobin, known as haemoglobin S. The disease can cause red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped, which affects oxygen transport in the body. Sickle cell disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, and carriers may not show symptoms.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The mission uses a three-pillar framework of Health Promotion, Prevention, and Holistic Management. Health Promotion includes awareness and genetic counselling, Prevention includes universal screening, and Holistic Management includes continuum of care and patient support.

Screening and Coverage

As of 17 September 2024, the mission had screened over 42 million individuals across India. The screening exercise identified 163,765 persons with sickle cell disease and 1,144,274 carriers. By June 2026, over seven crore people between the ages of zero and 40 years had been screened under the mission.

Implementation and Administrative Features

The mission is being implemented across 17 participating states. It combines public health measures, tribal welfare outreach, genetic science, and digital monitoring. The programme gives special attention to tribal areas, where the burden of sickle cell disease is higher in several regions of India.

Important Facts for Exams

• Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder linked to abnormal haemoglobin S.
• The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched on 1 July 2023.
• Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh was the launch site of the mission.
• The mission target is elimination of sickle cell anaemia by 2047.

The mission is one of the largest genetic disease screening initiatives in the world. India’s screening drive has identified both patients with sickle cell disease and carriers across multiple states.