Governor Mangubhai Patel has called for a resolute commitment, fueled by sensitivity and empathy, to achieve the eradication of sickle cell disease in Madhya Pradesh by the year 2047. Emphasizing that the efforts of the Sickle Cell Mission are a profound means of serving humanity, Governor Patel urged all stakeholders to strive to meet the ambitious goal even before the set deadline. He conveyed these sentiments during a review meeting of the Sickle Cell Mission at Raj Bhavan.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister of Public Health and Medical Education, Rajendra Shukla, and AYUSH Minister Inder Singh Parmar, underscoring the high-level focus on this critical health initiative.
Governor Patel meticulously reviewed the ongoing efforts of the Health and AYUSH Departments concerning the treatment, management, and control of sickle cell disease. He was informed about an extensive campaign planned from June 19 to July 3, during which mega camps will be organized across all gram panchayats, Eklavya residential schools, and hostels. The primary objective of these camps is to conduct maximum possible screening tests for sickle cell. Screening will utilize POC (Point of Care) kits, covering a wide network from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs up to district hospitals. Daily screening data will be diligently recorded in a dedicated portal.
Beyond screening, the mission will focus on providing crucial genetic counseling and distributing genetic counseling cards to affected individuals and their families. For those identified as sickle cell patients, specialized camps will be held at both block and district levels, where expert consultation services will be made readily available. Additionally, sickle cell patients will be facilitated in obtaining disability certificates and Unique Disability ID (U.D.I.D.) cards, enabling them to avail pension benefits.
The AYUSH Department presented its specific contributions to the mission, particularly in the context of World Sickle Cell Day. It announced plans to organize camps in 78 AYUSH dispensaries operating across 20 tribal-dominated districts, where kits containing Ayurvedic medicines helpful in treating sickle cell will be distributed. Furthermore, the department will undertake extensive public awareness activities concerning the conservation and promotion of local herbs traditionally known to be beneficial in the treatment of the disease. In each village affected by sickle cell anemia, a range of public awareness programs, including morning processions, yoga practice sessions, and gram sabhas (village assemblies), will be organized to foster community engagement and understanding.
The review meeting saw the presence of several key officials, including Chairman of Tribal Cell Deepak Khandekar, Principal Secretary of Public Health and Medical Education Sandeep Yadav, Additional Secretary to the Governor Umashankar Bhargav, Secretary of the Tribal Cell Smt. Jamuna Bhide, Director of National Health Mission Ms. Saloni Sidana, and Commissioner of AYUSH Sanjay Mishra, among other senior officials, highlighting the collaborative approach towards achieving the mission's ambitious goals.