Under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, more than 1 crore people have been screened for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in India. Launched in 2023, the mission is aiming to eliminate sickle cell anemia from India by 2047.
Understanding Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
SCD is a category of inherited red blood cell disorders. The key component of healthy red blood cells is hemoglobin, a protein responsible for carrying oxygen. These cells are usually rounded. However, in SCD, aberrant hemoglobin leads to red blood cells becoming hard and sticky, taking on the shape of a “sickle,” a C-shaped farming tool.
Symptoms of SCD
The symptoms of SCD can range widely, but several common symptoms include:
– Chronic Anemia: This often results in fatigue, weakness, and a pale complexion.
– Painful episodes or sickle cell crises: These unexpected events can trigger acute pain in the bones, chest, back, arms, and legs.
– Delayed growth and puberty
Treatment Options for SCD
Treatment approaches for SCD generally include:
– Blood Transfusions: These can ease anemia and decrease the likelihood of painful crises.
– Hydroxyurea: This medication can minimize the frequency of painful episodes and prevent some long-term complications.
– Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is another option.
Government Actions Against SCD
In 2016, the government issued operational guidelines for preventing and controlling sickle cell anemia. In Madhya Pradesh, the State Hemoglobinopathy Mission was formed to tackle challenges in screening and managing the disease. Another initiative is the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy
This strategy concerns the following interventions:
– Prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation: Provided to preschool children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, and pregnant women, regardless of anemia.
– Appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding: Emphasis is on adequate, age-appropriate foods for children 6 months and above. Boosting intake of iron-rich, protein-rich, and vitamin C-rich food is encouraged.
– Delayed Cord Clamping: This practice is promoted in all health facility deliveries, followed by early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
– Bi-annual Mass Deworming: Children aged 1-19 years undergo this procedure every year under the National Deworming Day (NDD) program. It also includes deworming for women of reproductive age and pregnant women.
– Addressing Non-Nutritional Causes: The strategy focuses on addressing non-nutritional causes of anemia in endemic pockets with special emphasis on malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis.
Examining the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy
An examination of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy shows that it does not provide prophylactic calcium supplementation. However, the strategy does advocate for delayed cord clamping at childbirth, periodic deworming for children and adolescents, and addresses non-nutritional causes of anemia with a special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis.
