To mark World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, Chhattisgarh's Health and Family Welfare Department has called for conducting sickle cell test on all pregnant women and children. If detected in time, the lives of pregnant women and children can be saved.
About one percent of the population of Chhattisgarh suffers from sickle cell, a genetic disease related to blood. The government is providing free tests, medicines and consultation in all the community health centers, district hospitals and medical college hospitals of the state.
The patients are also provided free blood when needed from licensed blood banks, an official communication said on Saturday.
Sickle cell, a genetic disease, has two types: sickle cell disease SS (gene) and sickle cell carrier SC.
The Sickle cell disease SS can cause severe pain and discomfort to the patient and may require frequent blood transfusions. The patient can live a long life and can avoid serious problems by taking medicines on doctor’s advice. A sickle cell carrier is an AS carrier. In this category the person does not suffer any physical pain nor does he need any treatment. However, if both parents are carriers, then their child may be prone to sickle cell disease.
Pre-marriage screening should be done to prevent its spread to the next generation. Sickle cell carriers or persons with the disease should not intermarry.
The sickle cell screening of pregnant women and children helps to identify the disease early and take necessary precaution through medical treatment.