MP News: Will India be able to become sickle cell free before 2047? Is screening of 7 crore people a new record? How did Madhya Pradesh create its own identity in the country? Why are genetic counseling and sickle cell card necessary? In Omkareshwar, President Draupadi Murmu praised the achievements of the National Sickle Cell Mission and described Madhya Pradesh as a model state.
Bhopal/Khandwa. On the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day, a state level program was organized under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission-2047 at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district. The program was inaugurated by President Smt. Draupadi Murmu by lighting the lamp. On this occasion, Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and many public representatives and officials were present. The program started with the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’. Short films and awareness videos based on Sickle Cell Anemia were also screened. Also, Gram Panchayats and officials who did excellent work under the mission were honored.
President Draupadi Murmu praised the achievements of Madhya Pradesh
President Draupadi Murmu in his address said that Madhya Pradesh has made remarkable achievements under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission. Praising all the people associated with the program, he said that this initiative is an important effort to tackle a serious challenge in the health sector. He said that out of the targets set at the time of launch of the mission in the year 2023, the target of screening has been completed ahead of schedule. This achievement is a matter of pride for the country.
Screening of 7 crore people completed, included in world’s largest genetic testing initiatives
The President said that the target of screening about 7 crore people ranging from newborns to 40 years of age has been achieved. This is considered to be one of the largest campaigns to investigate genetic diseases globally. He said that the contribution of Madhya Pradesh in this achievement is very important. So far, more than 1.25 crore people have been screened in the state and genetic counseling cards have also been provided to most of the people.
Prime Minister Modi’s mission described as a visionary initiative
President Murmu said that about three years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had started the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission from Shahdol. This is not just a health program but the result of visionary thinking and a comprehensive social approach. He said that the Central Government took this disease seriously and adopted a multi-pronged strategy, so that a strong system could be prepared for detection, prevention and treatment of the disease.
Mission prepared on the basis of scientific and social studies
The President said that this mission was started with the joint efforts of the Union Health Ministry and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It was not just considered a health problem but was linked to tribal health, genetic awareness, preventive healthcare and social behavior change.
He said that studies by ICMR, Tribal Health Research Institute, AIIMS, National Health Mission, World Health Organization and various state governments revealed that about 2 to 2.5 crore people in the country could be carriers of the sickle cell gene. Lakhs of people are affected by this disease and its maximum impact has been seen in the tribal areas of Central India.
Three key pillars of Sickle Cell Eradication Mission
The President mentioned three important dimensions of the mission-
1. Awareness and Genetic Counseling
Creating awareness among people on a large scale and providing pre-marriage genetic counselling.
2. Extensive screening campaign
Identifying the disease in time and providing necessary medical assistance.
3. Continuous health care
Keeping patients continuously connected to treatment, monitoring and health services. He said that under the mission, sickle cell disease has so far been identified in about 2.5 lakh people, while more than 20 lakh carriers have also been identified.
Why is identification of carriers important?
The President said that sickle cell carriers generally do not show symptoms of the disease, so they are not aware of its seriousness. Many times they do not even know that this disease can reach their future generations. In such a situation, awareness and genetic counseling is very important.
Special focus on women, students and newborns in Madhya Pradesh
The President said that the Madhya Pradesh government has taken several effective steps for identification and care of people affected by sickle cell. Point of care test based testing facilities for pregnant women, newborns and other affected people in the state have been expanded up to Ayushman Arogya Mandir level.
He said that during the “Healthy Women, Strong Family Campaign”, an important achievement was achieved by screening more than 4 lakh women in the state. Apart from this, students are also being screened on a large scale and tribal students are being linked to treatment and counseling services.
Awareness increased through ‘Sickle Mitra’ campaign
The President said that through the ‘Sickle Mitra’ campaign launched last year, government and non-government organizations, voluntary organizations and NCC cadets have been trained. These people are working to spread awareness and connect patients to health services. He expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the states, India can achieve the goal of eliminating sickle cell disease before the year 2047.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said – Madhya Pradesh made a record
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh has made record achievements under the guidance of Governor Mangubhai Patel in the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the success of the mission will protect the coming generations and help in eliminating serious genetic diseases like sickle cell.
Screening of 1.32 crore people completed
The Chief Minister said that so far 1 crore 32 lakh people have been screened in the state. Pregnant women are being identified and provided necessary counseling and treatment. Also, sickle cell cards are being distributed through genetic counseling so that future generations can be protected from this disease. He informed that more than 3700 trained ‘Sickle Mitras’ are giving impetus to the awareness campaign across the state.
Increased facilities in the field of health and medical education
The Chief Minister said that medical facilities are continuously expanding in the state. Whereas earlier there were only 5 medical colleges in several decades, now their number has increased to 32. The government is continuously making improvements in both health and education sectors.
Tribal development priority of government
The Chief Minister said that the state government is working with full commitment for the development of Scheduled Castes and Tribal communities. Development schemes are being delivered to tribal communities through PM Janman Yojana. He informed that Krantisurya Tantya Mama University has been established in Khandwa. Apart from this, various initiatives have been taken in the honor of tribal heroes like Veerangana Rani Durgavati, Raja Bhabhut Singh, Badal Bhoi, Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah. Bhagoriya festival has also been given the status of state festival.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said – Madhya Pradesh becomes leader in screening
Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health and Medical Education Minister Rajendra Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh is among the leading states of the country in the field of sickle cell screening. Screening of 1.32 crore people has been completed in the tribal dominated districts of the state. He said that a target has been set to screen 1.60 crore people by the end of 2026. For this, a large scale public awareness campaign is being run and now matching of sickle cell screening cards is also being encouraged before finalizing the marriage relationship.