⇒ World Sickle Cell Day is observed every year on June 19, to raise awareness of sickle cell at a national and international level.
History:
The day came to existence on 22nd December 2008, after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognised sickle cell disease as a public health problem. The UNGA also recognised Sickle disease as one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases.
World Sickle Cell Day in India:
On occasion of World Sickle Cell Day, the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda virtually inaugurated the Second National Sickle Cell Conclave on ‘Sickle Cell Disease in India’.
Conclave Organised by:
The Conclave was organised by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI , in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Novartis, Apollo Hospitals, Piramal Foundation, GASCDO and NASCO.
The event brought together a group of experts on Sickle Cell Disease across India to deliberate on recent advances in Sickle Cell Disease management – ranging from early diagnosis to latest medicines and advances in treatment of disease.
Sickle cell disease in India:
Sickle cell disease is the most prevalent inherited blood disorder. Sickle cell disease is widespread amongst many tribal population groups in India. The disease in India is prevalent predominantly in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, western Odisha, eastern Gujarat and in pockets of the Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The types of sickle cell disease are Hbs beta thalassemia, HbSS & HbSc.