Question : Sickle Cell Anaemia

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of people of the country are suffering from sickle cell anaemia and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate a scheme to eradicate sickle cell anaemia and if so, the details thereof and the States/UTs included therein; and

(c) the details of efforts being carried out by the States to eradicate sickle cell anaemia at their own level and the assistance being provided by the Centre to them in last three years?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): The actual number of Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) patients is not known. However, it has been estimated from different studies that there are about 1.25 lakhs of Sickle Cell Anaemia patients in the country.

(b): Public Health is a state subject. However, under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Ministry has prepared and issued comprehensive guidelines for Prevention and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (Thalassemia, Sickle cell anaemia and other variant anaemia). The Guidelines provide for screening of every pregnant woman during ANC, pre-marital Counselling at the college level and one time screening for variant anaemia for all children in class VIII. This initiative for prevention and control of Haemoglobinopathies has been initiated in 22 States. Awareness programmes on thalassemia are being conducted by several State Governments.

Further, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Kayakrama (RBSK) under NHM provides for early detection and treatment of Children (from 0 to 18 years) for sickle cell anaemia, Beta Thalassemia at the option of States/UTs.

(c): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has helped to establish the diagnostic facilities for prenatal diagnosis in some of the medical colleges in the States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. ICMR has also started a Satellite Centre for Haemoglobinopathies at Chandrapur in Maharashtra where Sickle Cell Anaemia is a major problem under the leadership of National Institute of Immunohematology (Mumbai).The Centre aims to expand antenatal screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia and provide comprehensive clinical care to children and adults with Sickle Cell Anaemia as well as undertake clinical trials. The National Blood Transfusion Council has also issued a directive that blood banks should provide blood/blood components free of cost of the patients of Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell Anaemia and other blood dyscrasia (Blood Disease) requiring repeated blood transfusion. The details of approvals given to States for sickle cell in 2014-15 and 2015-16 under NHM is at Annexure –I. The approvals given to States under NHM for Haemoglobinopathies in 2016-17 is at Annexure –II. Funds released by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the state Governments under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP) and under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India for screening Sickle Cell Anaemia is at Annexure – III.

Details of efforts being carried out by the states to eradicate sickle cell anemia at their own level, with their own funds, are not available with the Government of India.