World Sickle Cell Day: Early diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is needed leader

Pune : Leader News Service : Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder. If this disease is not diagnosed on time, it can cause malfunction of organs like brain, eyes, heart, uterus. Doctors say that timely diagnosis and awareness is essential for early detection of the disease.

India ranks second in the world in sickle cell anemia. About 1 crore 80 lakh people show symptoms of sickle cell and 14 lakh people suffer from sickle cell. Sickle cell anemia causes the red blood cells to become crescent shaped. Due to this, there may be less supply of oxygen to the body. Blood diseases like sickle cell anemia are often found in newborns.

Blood samples of children are sent from the district hospital for early diagnosis of congenital anomalies. Babies are tested for blood within 24 to 48 hours of birth. According to district surgeon Dr. Given by Nagnath Yampalle.

Elimination target by 2047 in India
A target has been set to eliminate sickle cell anemia in India by 2047. Sickle cell anemia occurs in people between the ages of 0 and 40. It is more prevalent in tribal people. Emphasis will be placed on screening, diagnosis and treatment to cure the disease. For this, 7 crore people will be screened in the first phase. This has also been announced in the budget of 2023.

Control Program Objectives

To create awareness about sickle cell disease
Training medical officers for solubility testing, counseling and treatment.
Sending positive solubility test to nearby centers for electrophoresis test.
Distribution of yellow cards to sickle cell carriers and red cards to sickle cell patients and white cards to healthy persons.
Vaccination of affected and carrier persons.
Providing drugs like folic acid tablets, antibiotics, painkillers as per requirement in primary health, rural upazila, district hospitals.
Utilization of telemedicine facility if specialist is required.