Proposal sent to open All-India Sickle Cell Research Center to central government: Shri Sai
Vision for ‘Developed India’ by 2047 includes eradicating sickle cell anemia: Chief Minister
Raipur (thestates.news) Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India will transform into a developed nation by 2047 with complete eradication of sickle cell anemia. He was addressing a programme on World Sickle Cell Anemia Day at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, Medical College, Raipur today.
Chief Minister participated in the sickle cell screening and awareness programme on World Sickle Cell Day. He flagged off a sickle cell awareness chariot and visited an exhibition dedicated to sickle cell. He distributed genetic cards to sickle cell patients and released a sickle cell booklet in Halbi and Gondi languages, aiming to raise awareness about the disease even in remote areas of Bastar.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated “Every individual should undergo sickle cell testing, and awareness is important for prevention. Before marriage, both men and women should be tested for sickle cell disease.”
He noted that the tribal communities in Chhattisgarh are particularly affected by sickle cell anemia. Collaborating with the Health Department and Tribal Development Department, awareness camps are being organized for affected patients. A proposal has been submitted to the Central Government to establish a national-level research center for sickle cell in the state, aimed at enhancing disease prevention efforts.
It is worth mentioning that out of the targeted 1,77,69,535 sickle cell screenings across 33 districts in Chhattisgarh, a total of 1,11,06,561 screenings have been conducted. Among these, 1,06,24,245 screenings yielded negative results, while 2,90,663 individuals were identified as carriers and 22,672 tested positive for the disease.
Presiding over the programme, Tribal Welfare Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam stated that the state government is committed to completely eradicating sickle cell anemia from Chhattisgarh. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Health Department and Tribal Welfare Department under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai to achieve this goal. This aims to make the state healthy and developed.
Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal stressed the role of Mitanins in the state in preventing sickle cell anemia. He stated that raising awareness and utilizing genetic cards are essential in effectively combating this disease.
Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Tribal Welfare Minister Shri Ram Vichar Netam, Education Minister Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, along with MLAs Guru Khushwant Saheb, Shri Anuj Sharma, Shri Moti Lal Sahu, Shri Purandar Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Shri Manoj Kumar Pingua, and Tribal Welfare Principal Secretary Shri Sonmoni Borah, and other senior officials, Mitanins, medical college students, and health workers were also present.
