Ranchi/New Delhi: Central tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda on Monday called upon the people for their involvement in the mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease from the country. He was addressing a virtual sensitization workshop on Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease, organised at the National Tribal Research Institute in New Delhi.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic condition, is widespread among the tribal population in India where it is estimated that about 1 in 86 births among STs have SCD.
Taking note of the importance of this day, Hon’ble Minister appealed, “Under the visionary guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Sickle Cell Elimination has been undertaken in the mission mode by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; however, all of us need to make a collaborative effort to address this issue by working at the individual level to educate people about the disease, especially at the grassroots level.
I appeal to all the medical experts, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Ayush, Health Organisations, Health Departments to give impetus to the cause of good health for tribals and ensure that quality healthcare is provided to those affected by this disease to create a positive impact in the health of the tribal population.”
Further, he urged state governments to cooperate in this goal by ensuring proper infrastructure and facilities. “We need to ensure that individuals — especially women and children — are free from this disease and it doesn’t impact the coming generation,” he added. Shri Munda also assured that the Ministry would continue to work with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare along with other relevant ministries, government officials, stakeholders, clinicians and experts for the prevention, control, and management of sickle cell disease.
The welcome address was delivered by Shri Anil Kumar Jha, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Secretary, MoTA remarked, “We are committed to working in a mission mode for the control and successful eradication of the SCD. We are involving various medical experts, stakeholders and NGOs for counselling, and diagnosis as well as Primary Healthcare Systems to maximise our outreach through various Ministries.”