Archive · 27 Jun 2025
20 Lakh Screened for Sickle Cell in Tribal Areas; Detection Kit Unveiled
Imagine your blood cells are like little donuts, but for people with sickle cell anemia, they're shaped like sickles.
This makes it hard for blood to flow smoothly.
The government and scientists are working to help people in tribal areas.
They've been checking many people to see if they have the disease, especially those in tribal areas.
They've also made a new test that uses just one drop of blood to find out if someone might have sickle cell anemia.
Scientists are also working on new medicines.
This will help them provide treatment for the people.
Over 20 lakh people in tribal areas have been screened for sickle cell anemia in the past eight years.
The screening program is part of the 'National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission' launched in 2023.
The project is led by CSIR, with funding from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
A new, low-cost sickle cell anemia detection kit has been developed.
CSIR is also working on lithium and sodium ion batteries and identifying lithium resources in India.
- Who
- CSIR and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs are leading the project.
- What
- Screening and research related to sickle cell anemia.
- When
- Screening has been ongoing for the past eight years; the national mission launched in July 2023.
- Where
- Screening primarily in tribal areas of India.
- Why
- To eliminate sickle cell anemia from the country by 2047.
- Screened Population
- Over 20 lakh people
- Project Duration
- 8 years
- Mission Launch Date
- July 2023
- Target Year for Elimination
- 2047
- Lead Organization
- CSIR
- Detection Kit Cost
- Less than Rs 100