By 2047, the government of India wants to rid sickle cell anaemia.
In the afflicted tribal communities of India, the eradication effort will involve screening 7 crore people.
Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood condition. It impacts the body’s red blood cells. It belongs to a class of blood conditions known as sickle cell disease.
RBCs are initially spherical, flexible discs that become rigid, sticky sickled cells as a result of infection. Anemia, a disorder when your body is unable to carry enough oxygen to the tissues, arises as a result of the blood no longer having enough red blood cells.
Sickle cell anaemia in newborns may not manifest its symptoms for several months. Extreme weariness, fussiness, and excruciatingly swollen hands and feet are among the symptoms when this occurs.
Additionally, they might have jaundice as well.
Sickle cell anemia symptoms:
Red blood cells with sickle or crescent-shaped shapes have sickle cell anaemia, a hereditary condition.
For the majority of sufferers of sickle cell anaemia, there is no cure.
Anemia, in which red blood cells expire within 10 to 20 days even though they should last for 120 days before being replaced, is one of the indications of this illness. As a result, there is an RBC deficiency, which leads to anaemia. The body is left worn out and exhausted as a result.
Pain crises are recurring periods of discomfort.
It could last a few hours to a few days and manifest as chest, abdominal, and joint discomfort that fluctuates in intensity.
Because sickle cells harm the spleen and make people more susceptible to infections, people may have swelling in their hands and feet.
Babies and kids may endure sluggish or delayed growth and puberty as a result of a lack of RBCs.
Diagnosis & treatment:
The condition of sickle cell anaemia is incurable. However, there are dangers associated with bone marrow or stem cell transplants, which can also be used to treat the condition.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared the goal to eradicate sickle cell anaemia by the year 2047 in her presentation of the Union Budget 2023. Accordingly, the campaign will involve spreading awareness and a general screening of 7 crore persons in the impacted tribal areas between the ages of 0 and 40.
Nirmala Sitharaman continued, “Counseling sessions through coordinated efforts of central ministries and state governments.”
Parvathy Sukumaran 
