Madhya Pradesh fulfilling national commitment to eradicate sickle cell disease: Deputy CM Shri Shukla

Bhopal: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla has said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is collectively working towards the goal of making India sickle cell-free by the year 2047. Madhya Pradesh is firmly committed to realizing this national resolve. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla explained that sickle cell is a genetic and incurable blood disorder passed from generation to generation. In this condition, red blood cells take on a crescent shape, obstructing oxygen flow in the body and causing severe pain, infections, and organ damage. He further said that this disease is particularly prevalent among tribal communities, making it a major health challenge for a tribal-dominated state like Madhya Pradesh.Deputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla said that on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day, a state-level programme will be organized in Barwani on June 19. Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will participate in the event. Special camps will be set up in all 33 affected districts of the state for consultation, screening, disease management, and free treatment.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla appealed to the people of Madhya Pradesh to take a pledge to make the state sickle cell free by 2047. He urged every citizen to undergo screening, adopt the sickle cell card as a mandatory practice before marriage, and spread the message of awareness and solutions, not hesitation, in society.Screening of 1 crore 6 lakh citizensDeputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla said that the state government has adopted sickle cell elimination in mission mode, considering it a matter of justice for health. He expressed pride in the fact that Madhya Pradesh currently ranks first in the country in sickle cell screening. He informed that so far, more than 1 crore 6 lakh citizens have been screened, identifying over 2 lakh sickle cell carriers and 29,277 patients. Additionally, more than 80 lakh 9 thousand sickle cell cards have been distributed, and 26,115 patients have received treatment with hydroxyurea medicine.Deputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla said that free medicines, vaccinations, blood transfusions, and genetic counseling are being provided to all identified patients. A special laboratory has been set up at AIIMS Bhopal for testing newborns within 72 hours of birth. He informed that more than 100 bone marrow transplants have been successfully performed at Indore Medical College. Additionally, the ‘Center of Excellence for Prenatal Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies’ is operating effectively in Rewa. To ensure early detection and timely treatment, regular screening camps are being organized in tribal schools, hostels, and colleges across the state.Whether the horoscope matches or not, matching of sickle cell card should be made before marriageDeputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla has appealed to citizens to ensure, ‘Whether the horoscopes match or not, always match the sickle cell card before marriage.” He emphasized that if both prospective partners are sickle cell carriers, there is a high risk of their children inheriting serious sickle cell disease. Therefore, getting a sickle cell test before marriage is not just a personal responsibility but also a social duty to safeguard the health of future generations.(Ankush Mishra)