Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: ToI
Context: The PM will launch (today) the ‘National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission’ today with the target to eradicate the disease by 2047.
From where?
- The mission announced in the Union Budget 2023 will be launched from a public programme in Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh.
- MP is a state with the highest tribal population in terms of absolute numbers as per Census 2011 and also has the highest burden of sickle cell anaemia.
Background:
- Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disease which affects the whole life of an affected patient.
- It is more common in the tribal population of India but occurs in non-tribals too.
- It not only causes anaemia but also pain crises, reduced growth, and affects many organs like lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones and the brain.
How vulnerable India is?
- Globally, India has the largest density of tribal population [Census 2011: Tribal population – 8.6% of the total population of India/ 67.8 million].
- Sickle cell disease is one of the 10 special problems in tribal health that affect the tribal people disproportionately, thus making intervention necessary.
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission:
- Mission: To improve the care of all Sickle Cell Disease patients for their better future and to lower the prevalence of the disease through a multi-faced coordinated approach towards screening and awareness strategies.
- Vision: Eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India by 2047.
