In News
- African health ministers launched a campaign to ramp up awareness, bolster prevention and care to curb the toll of sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD)
- About:
- It is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Red blood carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
- Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
- In someone who has SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.”
- The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.
- Types:
- There are several types of SCD. The specific type of SCD a person has depends on the genes they inherited from their parents. People with SCD inherit genes that contain instructions, or code, for abnormal hemoglobin.
- Cause:
- SCD is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two genes—one from each parent—that code for abnormal hemoglobin.
- Prevention:
- Management of SCD is focused on preventing and treating pain episodes and other complications. Prevention strategies include lifestyle behaviors as well as medical screening and interventions to prevent SCD complications.
- Recent Initiatives:
- The Unmukt Project is being implemented by the Central Government to strengthen screening and timely management of Sickle Cell Anemia.
- The Tribal Affairs Ministry established the National Council on Sickle Cell Disease and Tribal Health Cell, which would coordinate with the Ministry of Health and State Governments.
- The Tribal Affairs Ministry, through development of Sickle Cell Support Corner, has instituted a mechanism for creating a Central Repository of data.
