Odisha steps up drive to detect Sickle Cell and Thalassemia cases

The Odisha Government has intensified its drive across the state to detect sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia ailments, with a focus on high-risk zones.

As genetic blood disorder ailments of this nature often turn fatal, the authorities are initiating steps at regular intervals to detect the cases at the early stage to extend specialised health care to the affected people, said health officials.

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Directions have been issued to intensify the drive against sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia with a focus on high-risk zones of the state, Aswathy S, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, said while reviewing the progress of sickle cell and thalassemia management activities in a high-level meeting held here on Wednesday.

Districts of Odisha—Angul, Balangir, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Gajpati, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundargarh—have been covered under the sickle cell programme of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. In these districts, SCD screening facilities are provided on different platforms, Mission Director of the National Health Mission Dr Brudha D said, taking part in the meeting.

At the school and Anganwadi Centre level, screening for 0-18 years aged children is conducted by the RBSK Team; at the community level, the screening of pregnant women is done in the course of antenatal care on village health and nutrition day; in tribal populated areas, the screening is done through mobile health units; and in urban areas, screening facilities are available at the level of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Besides, screening facilities have also been made available at the health centre level in the other nine less-risk districts of the state.

So far, 46.65 lakh screenings have been done against the cumulative target of around 1.08 crore up to the year 2025-26 from the launch of the programme in July 2023, she said.

Out of them, 97,501 sickle cell cases have been identified. Sickle cell traits have been found in 411,395 cases. The identified cases are being provided the required treatment through the government hospitals in their respective areas.

Special provisions have been made for SCD patients. Each registered SCD patient is being provided Rs 500 per month through his/her bank account towards transportation costs. Free blood is provided to them. They are also exempt from paying the service charges for blood packs. Free medicines are provided to them at the government hospitals. Besides, financial assistance up to Rs 10 lakhs is provided to children less than 12 years of age for bone marrow transplants, added the officials.

Special Secretary of Health & FW, Dr Bijaya Mohapatra; Special Secretary Smita Biswal; Dr Jitendra Bebarta, Director Family Welfare; Dr Biswamohan Mishra; and Additional Secretary Srikanta Majhi, among others, participated in the discussions.