National Workshop on Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Elimination: Best Practices & Scalable Strategies

Bhubaneswar(11/03/2025): A two-day National Workshop on Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Elimination: Best Practices & Scalable Strategies is being organised in Bhubaneswar.

Nityanand Gond, Minister, ST&SC Development, Minority and Backward Classes Welfare Department was present as the chief guest at the inaugural session.

On this occasion the Minister said, "The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, is a historic step toward eliminating this disease by 2047.

Odisha has been an active participant in this mission, conducting extensive screening and awareness programs in remote tribal areas." The inaugural session was attended by Sanjib Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary, Aswathy.S, Commissioner cum Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Dr.Raji N.S., Deputy Secretary, MoTA, Government of India, Dr.Poma Tudu, Director, ST, William Hanlon, Chief, UNICEF Odisha, Professor Dr.Manoranjan Mohapatra, HoD, Department of Haematology, AIIMS, Delhi.

The two day workshop is organised by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI), ST & SC Development Department, Government of Odisha with support from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt.

of India and in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM), Health & Family Welfare Department, and Government of Odisha on 11th – 12th March 2025 at Mayfair Convention.

Bhubaneswar.

UNDP, UNICEF and ISHBT are the knowledge partners for this workshop.

Giving information about the workshop, the Minister said, this workshop provides an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, learn from best practices across states, and develop a roadmap for collaborative action.

We must focus on capacity building of frontline health workers, strengthening healthcare infrastructure in remote areas, and making medicines and treatment affordable for all affected families.

He urged all stakeholders present today to work together to ensure that no child suffers due to a lack of awareness or medical access.

The Principal Secretary delivered the welcome speech and provided information about sickle cell anemia in Odisha.

He said, Odisha, with a significant tribal population has one of the highest SCD prevalence rates in the country.

Studies indicate that 9% to 22% of tribal populations in Odisha carry the sickle cell gene, with certain groups showing even higher prevalence.

He also said that the National Workshop on Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Elimination is aligned with the Government of India’s mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047 under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Programme and marks a crucial milestone in India’s public health journey. Present at the workshop, Commissioner and Secretary, H&FW gave information about the various programs being taken up for the management and prevention of sickle cell disease in the state.

She said that Odisha is leading in the country in sickle cell disease (SCD) screening, and also in the detection of patients and carriers.

She informed that the cooperation of all stakeholders is required for the successful implementation of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission.

Similarly, the Deputy Secretary, MoTA was informed about the various programs taken by the Government of India to expand sickle cell anemia awareness and counselling among the tribal community.

He informed that the Ministry is creating awareness through IEC activity about sickle cell anemia in various tribal areas.

UNICEF Odisha Chief participated in the workshop and expressed UNICEF's full support to the ambitious National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission of the Government of India.

Similarly, Dr.

Manoranjan Mohapatra said that Odisha has performed well in combating sickle cell anemia.

He also said that the workshop will discuss the magnitude and prevalence of sickle cell anaemia across the country and facilitate exchange of innovative ideas and experiences on mechanisms adopted by various states to combat the disease.

The event was also graced by 250 participants from different sectors from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt.

of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt.

of India, International delegates, Medical Experts, Delegates from UNDP, UNICEF, ISHBT and representatives from tribal welfare departments and health department from across 10 Sickle Cell Prevalent States.

The workshop will document good practices and innovative initiatives that have been successful in different states, allowing others to adapt these models.

A significant outcome of the workshop will be the formulation of a roadmap suggesting ways and means to address the issue more effectively. The workshop has four critical technical/plenary sessions spread across 2 days focussing on Advances in SCD Diagnosis/Treatment and Management, Augmentation/Modification of National SCD Elimination Program, Social & Behaviour Change Communications and Multi Sectoral Approaches: Game Changer in Combating SCD among Tribal Population, Risks and Challenges in SCD Management& Way Forward.