Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 2: India has screened 6 crore individuals for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) so far, nearing its target of 7 crore under the National Sickle Cell Mission, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Tuesday.

Sickle Cell Disease is a chronic, inherited blood disorder marked by severe anaemia, repeated pain episodes, and long-term organ damage. It significantly impacts patients' quality of life and can reduce life expectancy.

Out of those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals were confirmed to have the disease, while 16.7 lakh were found to be carriers. Additionally, over 2.6 crore health cards have been issued by various state governments to those who underwent screening.

States including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat recorded the highest number of cases. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand showed strong performance in meeting their screening targets.

While the disease is highly prevalent among tribal populations, non-tribal communities are also affected. Recognising the health burden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission on July 1, 2023, in Madhya Pradesh.

The mission’s goal is to eliminate SCD as a public health challenge by 2047. It targets universal screening of 7 crore individuals aged 0–40 years in tribal regions by FY 2025–26.

Screenings are conducted using Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits that provide fast and accurate results. A centralised digital portal and dashboard track screening data nationwide.

Looking ahead, the government plans to ramp up testing to achieve its final target while also expanding follow-up care and counselling for those diagnosed with the disease or identified as carriers.