Raya Sabha: Over 7.24 crore screened under NSCAEM in 17 tribal states; hydroxyurea included for access
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission expands screening and drug access in tribal areas
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha about screening progress and medicine access under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is providing technical and financial support to States and Union Territories for screening and drug procurement under the National Health Mission.
- Hydroxyurea has been included in the drug list at Sub-Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Urban Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, and District Hospitals.
What happened
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that the Union government is using the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission to expand screening and treatment support for sickle cell disease in tribal areas. The statement places the focus on early diagnosis, drug access, counselling, and follow-up care in the public health system.
According to information received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, screenings are being conducted in the targeted age group of 0–40 years at health facilities from District Hospitals to Ayushman Arogya Mandir level in the affected 17 tribal States.
UPSC can ask about the design of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, the role of screening in early diagnosis, the public-health importance of hydroxyurea, and the challenges of treatment access in tribal and remote areas.
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