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Rachel V Thomas

India Will Eradicate Sickle Cell Disease Ahead of 2047 Target, Says President Murmu

Indian President Droupadi Murmu, on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day 2026, today expressed confidence that the country can eradicate sickle cell disease well before the 2047 target.

Addressing the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration at Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, President Murmu noted that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023, has so far "screened seven crore people, ranging from newborns to those up to 40 years of age."

Calling it "one of the largest initiatives for genetic disease screening in the world," she added that the mission has detected <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-sickle-cell-day-2026-genetic-counselling-must-become-part-of-every-sickle-cell-care-journey-article-154674596" data-type="tilCustomLink">sickle cell disease</a> "in approximately 2.5 lakh people so far, and over 20 lakh carriers of the disease have also been identified."

"Through the collective strength and active engagement of all states, we will succeed in achieving our national goal of eradicating sickle cell-related diseases from the country well before the year 2047," the President said.

The President highlighted three key dimensions of the mission:

<ul><li>Spreading large-scale awareness and providing pre-marital genetic counselling;</li><li>Identifying the disease in a timely manner through comprehensive screening; and</li><li>Ensuring continuity of care while guaranteeing a holistic approach to management.</li></ul>

She also stressed the need for collective efforts to raise awareness and eliminate the genetic blood disorder, particularly among tribal communities.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/sickle-cell-disease-why-india-must-add-curative-treatment-to-meet-its-2047-elimination-goal-article-154672434" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sickle Cell Disease: Why India Must Add Curative Treatment to Meet Its 2047 Elimination Goal</a>

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, the red blood cells become sickle- or crescent-shaped, making it difficult for them to move smoothly through blood vessels.

The chronic single-gene disorder causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, chronic organ damage, and a significant reduction in life expectancy.

"Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of India’s most pressing inherited blood disorders, with an estimated 1 in 86 births among tribal and disadvantaged groups affected," Dr Manisha Madkaikar is Director - ICMR-National Institute for Research on Blood and Immune Disorders – Mumbai, told HealthandMe.

Children living with the condition often experience repeated hospital visits, missed school days and limitations in daily activities. Parents frequently face emotional distress, financial strain and the challenge of managing a lifelong medical condition.

<h2>What Is the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program?</h2>

Read More:<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/no-women-aged-20-24-died-of-cervical-cancer-in-england-over-five-years-thanks-to-hpv-vaccine-article-154681867" data-type="tilCustomLink">No Women Aged 20-24 Died of Cervical Cancer in England Over Five Years, Thanks to HPV Vaccine</a>

The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program, introduced in the Union Budget 2023, focuses on addressing the significant health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among tribal populations in the country.

Implemented across 17 high-focus states, the programme aims to improve care and outcomes for sickle cell disease patients while reducing the prevalence of the disorder. The states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.

Implemented in mission mode under the National Health Mission (NHM), the program aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047.

Over a three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26, the program targets screening approximately seven crore people, promoting early diagnosis and intervention on a large scale.

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Indian President Droupadi Murmu, on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day 2026, today expressed confidence that the country can eradicate sickle cell disease well before the 2047 target.Addressing the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration at Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, President Murmu noted that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023, has so far "screened seven crore people, ranging from newborns to those up to 40 years of age."Calling it "one of the largest initiatives for genetic disease screening in the world," she added that the mission has detected sickle cell disease "in approximately 2.5 lakh people so far, and over 20 lakh carriers of the disease have also been identified.""Through the collective strength and active engagement of all states, we will succeed in achieving our national goal of eradicating sickle cell-related diseases from the country well before the year 2047," the President said.The President highlighted three key dimensions of the mission:Spreading large-scale awareness and providing pre-marital genetic counselling;Identifying the disease in a timely manner through comprehensive screening; andEnsuring continuity of care while guaranteeing a holistic approach to management.She also stressed the need for collective efforts to raise awareness and eliminate the genetic blood disorder, particularly among tribal communities.Also read: Sickle Cell Disease: Why India Must Add Curative Treatment to Meet Its 2047 Elimination GoalWhat Is Sickle Cell Disease?Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, the red blood cells become sickle- or crescent-shaped, making it difficult for them to move smoothly through blood vessels.The chronic single-gene disorder causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, chronic organ damage, and a significant reduction in life expectancy."Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of India’s most pressing inherited blood disorders, with an estimated 1 in 86 births among tribal and disadvantaged groups affected," Dr Manisha Madkaikar is Director - ICMR-National Institute for Research on Blood and Immune Disorders – Mumbai, told HealthandMe.Children living with the condition often experience repeated hospital visits, missed school days and limitations in daily activities. Parents frequently face emotional distress, financial strain and the challenge of managing a lifelong medical condition.What Is the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program?Read More:No Women Aged 20-24 Died of Cervical Cancer in England Over Five Years, Thanks to HPV VaccineThe National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program, introduced in the Union Budget 2023, focuses on addressing the significant health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among tribal populations in the country.Implemented across 17 high-focus states, the programme aims to improve care and outcomes for sickle cell disease patients while reducing the prevalence of the disorder. The states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.Implemented in mission mode under the National Health Mission (NHM), the program aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047.Over a three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26, the program targets screening approximately seven crore people, promoting early diagnosis and intervention on a large scale.

india will eradicate sickle cell disease ahead of 2047 target, says president murmu

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