PM attends launch event of National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission at Shahdol, in Madhya Pradesh on July 1, 2023.
Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission today and distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to the beneficiaries.
Modi said the launch of the mission will help secure the lives of the people from the tribal communities. It will save the lives of 2.5 lakh children and families that are affected by the disease, and help them get rid of it. Pointing out that more than 50 per cent of Sickle Cell Anaemia cases in the world arise in India itself, Modi underlined the painful symptoms and genetic origin of the disease.
The Prime Minister said that this campaign for the elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia will become a key mission and expressed the determination to free the tribal communities and the country from the menace of the disease by 2047. He underlined the need for a coordinated approach of government, health personnel and tribals. He said blood banks are being established for the patients, arrangement for bone marrow transplant is being enhanced, and screening of Sickle Cell Anaemia is being revamped. He asked the people to come forward for screening.
It may be mentioned that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2023. It aims to address the pressing health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among the tribal population. This will be implemented in 278 districts of 17 high-focus states in the country namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.
Modi today also kickstarted the distribution of about 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards in Madhya Pradesh. The ceremony for the distribution of Ayushman cards is being organized at Urban bodies, Gram panchayats and Development Blocks across the state.
– global bihari bureau
