National Sickle Cell Anemia Mission

23-Jul-2025

National Sickle Cell Anemia Mission

Science & Technology

Government Schemes

Why in News?

India has achieved a significant milestone by completing 6 crore screenings under the National Sickle Cell Mission.

About National Sickle Cell Anemia Mission

Launch: Announced in the Union Budget 2023.
Vision: To eliminate Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as a public health issue in India by 2047.

Objective
- Provide affordable and quality healthcare to all SCD patients.
- Reduce disease prevalence through awareness, behavioural change and large-scale screening.
Key Components of the Mission
- Awareness campaigns on SCD.
- Universal screening of 7 crore people (0–40 years) in tribal regions.
- Counselling and support, implemented through cooperation between central ministries and state governments.
Focus States (17 with high SCD prevalence): Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Uttarakhand.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

What is it?
- A genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin in red blood cells.
- Hemoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
What happens in the disease?
- Abnormal hemoglobin (called hemoglobin S) causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped (crescent-like).
- These sickle cells are rigid and sticky, which can block or slow blood flow.
What causes it?
- Caused by a defective gene known as the sickle cell gene.
- A person develops the disease only if they inherit the gene from both parents (one from each).

Preparing Through MCQ

Q. What is the vision of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission?

(1) To treat all anemia patients by 2030
(2) To provide free healthcare to tribal communities
(3) To eliminate Sickle Cell Disease as a public health issue by 2047
(4) To eradicate all genetic disorders by 2047

Answer: (3) To eliminate Sickle Cell Disease as a public health issue by 2047