5.72 crore people screened for Sickle Cell Disease: Centre
With the screening of 5.72 crore people, India is stepping closer to a sickle cell-free future, said the Union Ministry of Health on Thursday on Sickle Cell Day.
World Sickle Cell Day is observed on June 19 to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder.
Sickle Cell Disease is a chronic, single-gene disorder that causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterised by chronic anaemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, and chronic organ damage, significantly reducing life expectancy.
The genetic blood disorder affects the entire life of the patient, as it leads to various severe health complications.
"This World Sickle Cell Day, India is stepping closer to a sickle cell-free future!" the Ministry said in a post on the social media platform X.
The disease is particularly prevalent in India, especially among the tribal population, though it also affects non-tribals.
As per the government data, India has the largest tribal population density globally, with 8.6 per cent of the population, or 67.8 million people, identified as tribal according to the 2011 Census.
To address the burden, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Madhya Pradesh on July 1, 2023. The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India before 2047.
The Ministry noted that "as of June 3, 2025, a total of 5.72 crore people have been screened for Sickle Cell Disease, achieving over 75 per cent of the three-year target".
Notably, more than 2.65 crore screenings were conducted in just one year since April 2024.
States have issued 2.50 crore sickle cell status cards, helping to identify 1.98 lakh diseased patients and 14 lakh individuals with the sickle cell trait. All diagnosed patients are currently receiving appropriate treatment, the Ministry said.
Union Minister of Health J.P. Nadda stated that the Sickle Cell Day raises awareness about the challenges faced by those living with the debilitating genetic disease.
"This day offers a platform to educate communities, promote early diagnosis, and support ongoing research," he added on X, while stressing the need to break stigma and offer care to those affected.
Further, the Ministry informed that frequent fever to recurring pain, swelling, or poor growth in children may be symptoms of complications in sickle cell anaemia.
Other common symptoms include frequent infections, recurring episodes of jaundice, repeated pain in any parts of the body, swelling in hands, feet or joints, poor growth or weight gain, breathlessness or difficulty in breathing, enlarged spleen, blood in urine, sores or ulcers in the leg.
"Don't delay, consult a doctor immediately. Early action can make all the difference," the Ministry added on X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
41 minutes ago
- Business Standard
International Yoga Day 2025: Know history, significance, theme and more
Yoga, an ancient practice from India, is now followed around the world for better health and well-being. It helps both the body and mind, making it a complete form of exercise. Every year on June 21, people across the world celebrate International Yoga Day to recognise its benefits in daily life. As we approach this year's celebrations, here's a complete guide to the significance, theme, and history of International Yoga Day 2025. International Yoga Day 2025: Theme This year, the theme is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', emphasising yoga's role in promoting harmony between humans, nature, and overall wellness. The year 2025 is particularly special as it marks the 11th anniversary of this global celebration. The 2025 edition will feature 10 signature events, with the headline event being 'Yoga Sangam,' a mass yoga demonstration at 1,00,000 locations across India. The other featured events include: Yoga Bandhan Yoga Park Yoga Samavesh Yoga Prabhava Yoga Connect Harit Yoga Yoga Unplugged Yoga Mahakumbh Samyoga Why is International Yoga Day celebrated on June 21? June 21 was chosen for its universal and symbolic significance—it's the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This day represents balance, energy, and renewal—values deeply embedded in yogic philosophy. The initiative for International Yoga Day was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. On December 11, 2014, the UN officially declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga. In his address to the UNGA, PM Modi said, 'Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. It embodies the unity of mind and body, thought and action… a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not just exercise, but a path to discover oneness with the self, the world, and nature.' Yoga Day Date: Every year on June 21, people across the world celebrate International Yoga Day to recognise its benefits in daily life. First International Yoga Day The inaugural celebration on June 21, 2015, held in New Delhi, set two Guinness World Records: The largest yoga session in history, with 35,985 participants The most nationalities participating in a single yoga session—84 countries Since then, International Yoga Day has become a powerful platform to raise awareness about yoga's global relevance and benefits. International Yoga Day 2025 is more than a celebration; it's a reminder of the enduring power of ancient wisdom in modern life. With its theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' this year's observance invites the world to embrace yoga not just as a practice, but as a lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just getting started, June 21 is the perfect day to roll out your mat, take a deep breath, and reconnect with yourself, with others, and with the world.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Younger population seeing high rates of infection amid Covid surge: Experts
As India confronts a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, doctors suggest that the virus is disproportionately affecting younger age groups, with the 18-45 age bracket bearing the brunt of the infection. According to data available on the Union health ministry's Covid dashboard, India has 5,976 active cases from 29 states and Union Territories (UTs) as of June 19. Of these, Kerala has the highest caseload at 1,309, followed by Gujarat and Delhi at 1,046 and 632 cases, respectively. While the government does not give an age- or gender-wise breakup of cases, doctors are seeing a noticeable increase in Covid-19 cases among young adults, specifically those aged between 18 and 45. Tushar Tayal, consultant-internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said that on average, 10-12 patients per day were coming to him with flu-like symptoms and a small but steady percentage of them were testing positive for Covid-19. 'This may be indicative of a silent surge that is frequently overlooked because other viral infections overlap and (there's) an overall reduction in the rate of testing,' he added. Aakashneel Bhattacharya, consultant-infectious diseases at Paras Heath in Gurugram said that 80-85 per cent of Covid patients coming to him fell into the same 18-45 age bracket. Young adults previously considered to be at relatively low risk of severe illness are now showing heightened susceptibility, particularly those with a poor follow-up history of vaccination or waning immunity. Divya K S, an infectious disease specialist at Apollo Hospitals in Sheshadripuram, Bengaluru, said that waning immunity over the years, in addition to the emergence of immune-evading strains, made the younger population more vulnerable. Tayal said that in the 18-25 age group, most came with high-grade fever, throat pain, tiredness, body pain, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea or diarrhoea. Some also complained of a dry cough lasting for days and mild difficulty in breathing. In individuals over 30, symptoms persisted longer, and there were more instances of prolonged fatigue or post-viral cough, he added. Commenting on the reasons, Bhattacharya said younger people were at high risk of contracting the infection as they were the ones who mostly went out and mixed up with other people in the community. 'Till now, we are not seeing patients developing serious pneumonia or having low oxygen saturation. While a few patients may have had minor pneumonia, they are not requiring oxygen,' he added. Tayal, however, said that although most cases of Covid in younger patients were not serious, there should be caution against complacency. 'Reinfections are being observed even in persons who have been vaccinated or infected before, pointing to changing viral strains,' he added. Another reason was that many younger patients were delaying getting tested, assuming the infection to be a seasonal flu or viral fever, he further said. Nidhin Mohan, consultant-internal medicine, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, said that there was a spike among individuals who had recently travelled, especially for work or weddings, without taking adequate precautions. 'Infectious strains that spread faster within a group that is in close contact with each other can result in more case numbers among younger populations, who tend to be at the centre of workplace and social interactions,' said Deepesh G Aggarwal, consultant physician and head of department for critical care medicine at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
What is sickle cell disease? All you need to know
On June 19, we recognise World Sickle Cell Day each year to raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD), a serious genetic blood disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide. This day provides an opportunity to educate local communities about the challenges patients face, the health care they need, early screening, and 2025, the theme of the day is "Early Detection and Equitable Care for All", with a specific attention to early detection of sickle cell disease and having access to treatment no matter the geographical location where a person lives. There is hope on the horizon with medical research providing new avenues for the management of the disease, particularly for children and underserved IS SICKLE CELL DISEASE?Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disorder of the body that changes the shape of a person's red blood cells (normally round and flexible) to a shape of a sickle or a crescent moon. The sickle-shaped red blood cells can bind together, restricting blood flow and resulting in pain and other complications. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disease, meaning a child would inherit the disease if both parents carried the faulty gene. CAUSES OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE:Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells the body how to make haemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries is inherited, not both parents carry the sickle cell trait, there is a 25% chance their child will be born with the SYMPTOMS:Symptoms can vary, but common signs include:Episodes of severe pain, called sickle cell crisesFatigue and weakness due to anaemiaSwelling in hands and feetFrequent infectionsDelayed growth in childrenVision problems due to blocked blood vessels in the eyesSymptoms often begin in early childhood, and regular medical care is essential for managing the EARLY DETECTION IS IMPORTANT:A simple blood test for early diagnosis will enable doctors to start treatment and prevent the consequences of ill health. In India, the government has set up several programs for universal testing and screening, especially in tribal and rural areas where the disease is more IN TREATMENT:Although there is no universal cure yet, treatment options continue to improve:Hydroxyurea is a drug that decreases both pain episodes and the incidence of blood transfusion is required to treat severe anaemia and to prevent stroke in marrow and stem cell transplants are a potential cure, although limited availability and cost significantly restrict their therapy, yet to be proven as an effective treatment option, is underway and is producing remarkable outcomes. Hopefully, gene therapy will provide long-term Sickle Cell Day 2025 reminds us all that awareness, testing and equal opportunity to care can make a difference. More knowledge about sickle cell disease and advances in care means that people can manage the disease more effectively, improving the length and quality of life for those affected. Governments, doctors and communities must engage and work collaboratively to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against this lifelong condition.
