Bhubaneswar: Odisha is taking significant strides in the fight against Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Thalassemia. A two-day National Workshop on Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Elimination: Best Practices & Scalable Strategies was inaugurated today at Mayfair Convention, Bhubaneswar. The workshop is organized by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) under the ST & SC Development Department, Government of Odisha, with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM) and Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Department. Knowledge partners for the event include UNDP, UNICEF, and ISHBT.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Nityanand Gond, ST&SC Development, Minority and Backward Classes Welfare Department, graced the inaugural session as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2023, aims to eliminate the disease by 2047. He praised Odisha’s proactive role in this mission, particularly its comprehensive screening and awareness initiatives in remote tribal areas.
The inaugural session witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Shri Sanjib Ku Mishra, IAS, Principal Secretary; Ms. Aswathy S, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary, H&FW Department; Dr. Raji N.S., Deputy Secretary, MoTA; Dr. Poma Tudu, Director, ST; Mr. William Hanlon, Chief, UNICEF Odisha; and Professor Dr. Manoranjan Mohapatra, HoD, Department of Haematology, AIIMS, Delhi.
During his address, Shri Nityanand Gond emphasized the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure in remote regions, capacity building for frontline health workers, and ensuring affordable treatment for affected families. He urged stakeholders to collaborate to ensure no child suffers due to a lack of awareness or medical access.
Shri Sanjib Ku Mishra, in his welcome speech, highlighted Odisha’s significant tribal population, which has one of the highest SCD prevalence rates in India, with 9% to 22% of tribal populations carrying the sickle cell gene. He emphasized the importance of the workshop in aligning with the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Programme’s goal of eradicating SCD by 2047.
Ms. Aswathy S elaborated on Odisha’s leadership in SCD screening and patient identification. She stressed that stakeholder collaboration is crucial for the successful implementation of the mission. Dr. Raji N.S. spoke about the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ efforts to raise awareness and provide counseling to tribal communities, while Mr. William Hanlon reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for the mission.
Dr. Manoranjan Mohapatra praised Odisha’s proactive efforts in tackling sickle cell anemia and emphasized the value of sharing successful strategies between states.
The workshop brought together 250 participants from various sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, medical experts, international delegates, and officials from UNDP, UNICEF, and ISHBT.
Key discussions during the workshop will focus on:
- Advances in SCD Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management
- Augmentation and Modification of the National SCD Elimination Program
- Social and Behaviour Change Communications
- Multi-Sectoral Approaches in Combating SCD among Tribal Populations
The workshop aims to document best practices and successful models from various states, creating a comprehensive roadmap for improved SCD management strategies nationwide.
