With the efforts of Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has declared AIIMS Bhopal as a Center of Excellence for the treatment of rare diseases.

Sickle cell disease/ Thalassemia is also a rare disease. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to examin from childhood itself so that treatment can be started on time. Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of tribals in the country and this disease is very widespread among the tribals. In this connection, a project titled ""Establishment of lab facilities for Newborn Screening for common metabolic disorders and Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies" is being run at AIIMS Bhopal.

An online training for awareness regarding screening of metabolic disorders and hemoglobinopathies in newborn was conducted by the Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS Bhopal in collaboration with National Health Mission (Blood Cell) under State Sickle Cell Mission. This training was given to health care staff (medical officers, nursing and paramedical staff) in all 49 districts to start screening for neonatal hemoglobinopathy (sickle cell) and metabolic disorders.

The objective of the training was to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills required for examination of newborn baby and collection of samples. This included methods of newborn screening and sample collection. This session was designed to train the participants.

It involves various aspects including newborn screening observation, technical aspects related to specimen, collection, storage and transportation. The training was conducted in two batches in each district. The first batch was for medical officers and staff nurses and the second batch was for laboratory technicians. Around 350 participants from all the districts participated in the training.