India Intends to Eradicate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047

A mission to eradicate sickle cell anemia by the year 2047 was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a mission to eradicate sickle cell anemia by 2047 in her Union Budget 2023 presentation on Wednesday. The money serve said that the program will involve mindfulness creation and widespread screening of 7 crore individuals in the age gathering of 0-40 years in impacted ancestral regions.

counseling sessions through the joint efforts of state governments and central ministries, added Nirmala Sitharaman.

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA: WHAT IS IT?

An inherited blood disorder that affects the body’s red blood cells is called sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell disease is one of a group of blood disorders. The infection transforms the RBCs from round, flexible discs into sickled cells that are stiff and sticky. As a result, the affected person’s blood no longer contains enough red blood cells, resulting in anemia—a condition in which the body is unable to deliver sufficient oxygen to the tissues.

When sickle cell anemia is present at birth, infants may not exhibit symptoms for several months. Extreme tiredness, fussiness, and painfully swollen hands and feet are some of the signs when this happens. They might also have jaundice.

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA SYMPTOMS

Due to the fact that sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition whose red blood cells resemble sickles or crescent moons. The majority of individuals with sickle cell anemia cannot be cured. Anemia, in which red blood cells die in 10 to 20 days despite being supposed to last 120 days before being replaced, is one of the symptoms of this disease. This leaves a deficiency of RBCs bringing about weakness. The body becomes exhausted and overcome by fatigue as a result.

There are pain crises, which are recurring episodes of pain. This causes pain in the joints, chest, and abdomen, varying in intensity and lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Due to sickle cell damage to the spleen, which makes people more susceptible to infections, people can experience swelling in their hands and feet. Babies and children may experience slow or delayed growth and puberty as a result of a lack of RBCs.

TREATMENT

Sickle cell anemia cannot be treated. However, the disease can be cured with stem cell or bone marrow transplants, which come with a number of risks.