Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Aswathy S., has directed authorities to intensify the drive against Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Thalassemia, focusing on high-risk zones across Odisha. The instruction came during a high-level review meeting at Lokseva Bhawan, where Mission Director NHM, Dr. Brudha D., outlined ongoing activities and challenges in SCD management.
Dr Brundha appraised, “21 districts of Odisha namely Angul, Balangir, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Gajpati, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabrangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh have been covered under sickle cell programme of National sickle cell anaemia elimination mission”. In these districts SCD screening facility is provided in different platforms. At the school and AWC level, screening for 0-18 years aged children is conducted by RBSK Team; at community level, the screening of pregnant women is done in course of antenatal care on village health and nutrition day; in tribal populated areas, the screening is done through mobile health units; and in urban areas, screening facility is available at the level of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Besides, screening facilities have also been made available at health centre level in other less risk 09 districts of the State.
So far, 46.65 lakh screening has been done against the cumulative target of around 1.08 cr up to the year 2025-26 from launch of the programme in July,2023. Out of them 97,501 sickle cell cases have been identified. Sickle cell traits have been found in 4.11,395 cases. The identified cases are being provided required treatment through the Government hospitals in their respective areas.
Special provisions have been made for SCD patients. Each registered SCD patient is being provided Rs.500.00 per month through his/her bank account towards transportation cost. Free blood is provided to them. They are also exempted from paying the service charges for blood packs. Free medicines are provided to them at Government hospitals. Besides, financial assistance up to Rs.10 lakhs is provided to children less than 12 years of age for bone marrow transplant.
Special Secretary Health & FW Dr Bijaya Mohapatra, Special Secretary Smt Smita Biswal and Dr Jitendra Bebarta, Director Family Welfare Dr Biswamohan Mishra, Additional Secretary Srikanta Majhi among others participated in the discussions.
