President Droupadi Murmu has expressed confidence that India will achieve its goal of eliminating sickle cell disease (SCD) well before the targeted year of 2047, citing the collective efforts of the Centre, states, healthcare institutions and communities in combating the inherited blood disorder.

Addressing a gathering on the country’s ongoing fight against sickle cell disease, President Murmu said the active participation of all states and stakeholders would enable India to achieve its national mission ahead of schedule. She emphasized that coordinated action, early diagnosis, awareness generation and accessible treatment will be critical in reducing the burden of the disease, particularly among vulnerable tribal populations.

The government’s commitment to tackling the disease was reinforced with the launch of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in July 2023, which aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047. The mission targets universal screening, awareness creation and comprehensive management of the disease across affected regions.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells, leading to chronic anemia, severe pain episodes, organ damage and other life threatening complications. In India, the disease is particularly prevalent among tribal communities and certain populations across central, western and southern states.

According to government estimates, India is home to one of the largest populations affected by sickle cell disease globally. The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aims to screen nearly 7 crore individuals aged 0-40 years in tribal dominated areas by 2025-26. Since the launch of the programme, millions of people have already undergone screening, while awareness campaigns and counselling services have been expanded across high burden districts.

Health experts note that early detection through screening can significantly improve disease management and quality of life for affected individuals. The mission also focuses on genetic counselling, timely treatment, patient tracking and strengthening healthcare infrastructure in regions where the disease burden is highest.

The government has identified more than 278 districts across 17 states for focused intervention under the mission. These include states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Telangana, where sickle cell disease prevalence is relatively high among tribal populations.

President Murmu highlighted that India’s progress against sickle cell disease reflects the country’s broader commitment to equitable healthcare and disease prevention. She noted that sustained collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, researchers and local communities will be essential to achieving the mission’s objectives.

With large scale screening efforts, strengthened healthcare services and growing public awareness, India is steadily advancing toward its goal of eliminating sickle cell disease, offering hope to millions of individuals and families affected by the condition across the country.