19/06/2026
🩸 World Sickle Cell Day | Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Care
Today, on World Sickle Cell Day, we join the global community in raising awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)- a lifelong inherited blood disorder that continues to impose a significant health burden, particularly in low-resource and tribal populations.
India carries one of the highest burdens of SCD outside Africa, making it a critical public health priority. Recognizing this challenge, the Government of India launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, with an ambitious vision to eliminate SCD as a public health problem by 2047, aligning with the nation's centenary year of independence.
The mission aims to screen over 7 crore individuals aged 0–40 years across 17 high-prevalence states, with a special focus on tribal communities. Its approach is built on three pillars:
☑️ awareness and genetic counselling,
☑️ universal screening and early detection, and
☑️ comprehensive long-term care.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this national mission through evidence-based research and innovation. Key contributions include:
🔬 Development and validation of affordable point-of-care diagnostic tests
👶 Newborn screening initiatives enabling early intervention and improved quality of life
🤝 Community-based models like SAHAY for integrated screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care
💙 Research on stigma reduction and psychosocial support for patients and caregivers
🏛️ Establishing ICMR- CRMCH, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, to strengthen research and healthcare infrastructure in the field of hemoglobinopathies
On this , let us strengthen our collective resolve to bridge gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment, empowering individuals and communities affected by Sickle Cell Disease to lead healthier and more productive lives.
