Reference:

• The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched on 1 July 2023 at Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh) by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, has shown remarkable progress so far.

Key Points

Progress So Far (as of July 2025)

State-wise Highlights

• High-performing states (based on screening %):

Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttarakhand

• States with the highest number of confirmed cases:

Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat

Technology and Monitoring System

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Launch Details:

• Date: 1 July 2023
• Location: Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh
• Launched by: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

Objectives:

• To eliminate sickle cell anaemia from India by 2047
• To conduct universal screening of 7 crore people aged 0 to 40 years
• To provide awareness, counselling, and treatment services in affected tribal regions

Target Year:

• By FY 2025-26: Completion of screening of 7 crore people
• By 2047: Complete elimination of the disease

Major Components:

• Screening
• Counselling
• Treatment
• Awareness Campaigns
• Distribution of Health Cards
• SCD Portal and Digital Dashboard

Sickle Cell Anaemia: General Information

• A genetic blood disorder that affects red blood cells
• Primarily affects tribal communities
• In this disease, red blood cells (RBCs) become sickle or crescent-shaped instead of the normal round shape
• This causes blockage of blood flow and disrupts oxygen supply to body organs

Main Causes:

• Hereditary disease passed from parents to children
• A child is affected only if both parents carry the sickle gene

Symptoms:

• Recurrent bone pain
• Fatigue and weakness
• Jaundice
• Shortness of breath
• Delayed growth in children
• Higher susceptibility to infections

Global Context:

• India ranks third globally in sickle cell disease cases, after Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo