New Delhi: All tribals below the age of 40 years in the country will be given identity cards on their sickle cell anemia status. Colour-coded cards can be matched before marriage to assess the risk of sickle cell disease in a child born of the union.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday that the prototype card is ready and the screening is about to begin from Chhattisgarh.
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease where a person has hemoglobin that has a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. This disease is common among tribals. There are about 200 districts in the country where this disease is prevalent. out of control Mostly in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Mandaviya said: “The target is to eliminate the disease by 2047. It is a disease that occurs only in tribal areas and since it is transmitted genetically, the screening effort will be on prevention. would give colour-coded identity cards to all tribals in the U.S. When marriage is negotiated, the two cards can be matched to assess the risk to any children born of the union – just as we now match astrological charts Eat On the basis of that the decision of marriage can be taken.
Extensive consultation will be done among these populations to ensure awareness and compliance. Mandaviya said the states would be provided funds for the program under the National Health Mission, and the Center would pitch in with 60%.
Screening would be done using “point of care” histological tests when examination of blood slides would ascertain an individual’s status as sickle cell positive or carrier. “A person can donate blood and immediately a card will be issued defining their status,” Mandaviya said.
Counseling for awareness will be done in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Elaborating on the plan to open government laboratories to the private sector, the Health Minister said that it is necessary to ensure that the best facilities are available to all.