National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

✦Key Features

• Target: eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047; budget ₹1,430 crore (2023-2031)
• Universal screening of 0-40 age group in 17 high-burden states — especially tribal districts
• Sickle Cell card system: Normal (0 copies), Trait (1 copy), Disease (2 copies)
• 7 crore people to be screened; 8 crore already screened in Phase I (2025)
• Marriage counseling: carriers (trait) advised not to marry another carrier
• Integration with PM-JANMAN for PVTG tribal communities
• Launched by PM Modi on July 1, 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and other communities in 17 high-prevalence states are the primary focus.
• All individuals under the age of 40 years residing in the identified districts are eligible for screening.
• Pregnant women and their partners are specifically targeted for screening to prevent the transmission of the disease to newborns.
• Newborns in identified high-prevalence areas are eligible for point-of-care testing and diagnosis.
• Symptomatic individuals and family members of known sickle cell patients are prioritized for testing and counseling.

★Benefits

• Free screening and diagnostic services to identify sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait among the population.
• Provision of a Sickle Cell Status Card to aid in pre-marital and pre-conception genetic counseling.
• Access to comprehensive management of the disease, including free supply of medications like Hydroxyurea and Folic Acid.
• Strengthened clinical care through specialized treatment and regular monitoring at dedicated health centers.
• Reduced mortality and morbidity related to sickle cell anaemia through early intervention and community awareness.

▶Application Process

• Screening is conducted through mass camps organized by the health department at schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centers.
• Individuals can visit designated Primary Health Centers (PHCs) or District Hospitals for free sickle cell testing.
• Blood samples are collected and initially screened using Solubility tests or point-of-care diagnostic kits.
• Positive samples are sent for confirmatory testing using HPLC or Electrophoresis methods at higher medical facilities.
• Based on the results, a Sickle Cell Status Card is generated and provided to the individual through the mission's digital portal.

₹ Budget Allocation

1430

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 60:40 ratio; flexi-funds from NHM

Historical Context

Launched by the PM on July 1, 2023, in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, following years of data showing India has the second-highest global burden of Sickle Cell Disease.

Sub-Schemes

Challenges

• Cultural and linguistic barriers in tribal areas
• Lack of genetic counseling infrastructure at the block level
• High cost of point-of-care testing in remote locations
• Stigmatization leading to non-disclosure of carrier status

Reforms & Recommendations

• Mandatory pre-marital screening in high-burden districts
• Inclusion of Sickle Cell Disease in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD) for broader benefits
• Mobile screening units with advanced molecular diagnostics

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Target to screen 7 crore people by 2026
• Provision of Sickle Cell Status Cards
• Integration of screening with Ayushman Bharat cards
• Focus on 17 high-prevalence states

Convergence Schemes

• National Health Mission
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana
• Tribal Sub-Plan

Sector Tags