Gujarat pushes Sickle Cell eradication drive with focus on pre-marital genetic screening

Gandhinagar, June 9 (IANS) Gujarat is strengthening its efforts to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047, with State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya advocating pre-marital genetic screening as a key measure to prevent the hereditary disorder from being passed on to future generations.

Addressing the ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia: Patient Interaction and Guidance Programme’ organised in Gandhinagar by the Health and Family Welfare Department and the National Health Mission, Pansheriya said checking an individual's Sickle Cell status before marriage should become as routine as matching traditional horoscopes.

“Just as a traditional horoscope is obtained before marriage, a ‘medical horoscope’ should also be obtained by checking whether a person is a Sickle Cell carrier or patient. This is the biggest weapon to eradicate genetic diseases such as Sickle Cell,” he said.

The programme brought together patients, health officials and experts working on the state’s Sickle Cell control programme.

Pansheriya said Gujarat was playing a leading role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047.

He recalled that in 2006, when awareness about the disorder was limited, Gujarat undertook extensive screening initiatives under PM Modi’s leadership as Chief Minister and created a comprehensive database of carriers and patients.

“If there is strong determination and social awareness, any disease can be eradicated,” he said.

Referring to Gujarat’s success in eradicating polio, he noted that, after the state's last polio case in 2007, sustained efforts by the health department helped make Gujarat polio-free. “In the same way, Sickle Cell can become a thing of the past by 2047,” he added.

Encouraging patients living with the condition, the minister said Sickle Cell Disease should not be viewed as an obstacle to leading a fulfilling life.

“With proper care and treatment, people can live healthy lives despite the disease,” he said, adding that ensuring the health and well-being of every citizen remains a top government priority.

Additional Chief Secretary for Health, Rajiv Topno, said Gujarat’s Sickle Cell programme had received national recognition and that eliminating genetic diseases was significantly more challenging than controlling vaccine-preventable illnesses such as polio.

He said Gujarat currently has an estimated 5.5 lakh Sickle Cell carriers and around 30,000 active patients.

According to Topno, population screening, genetic counselling, public awareness and community participation will be critical to achieving the long-term target of eliminating the disease by 2047.

During the event, children affected by Sickle Cell Disease presented a painting depicting the challenges they face.

Pansheriya also commended health department personnel for their work in implementing the programme.