MP Achieves Multi-Dimensional Successes under National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: President Smt. Murmu

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu said that organisation of this special programme on International Sickle Cell Day is a meaningful effort towards addressing an important challenge in healthcare. She appreciated all those associated with the event and commended Madhya Pradesh Government for the multi-dimensional achievements attained under National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

President Smt. Murmu was addressing the state-level programme organised on World Sickle Cell Day at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district on Friday. She inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav welcomed the President.

President Smt. Murmu said it is a matter of satisfaction that many major targets set before the country at the launch of National Mission in 2023 have been achieved ahead of schedule. She said she had been informed that the target of screening 70 million people, from newborns to individuals up to 40 years of age, has already been achieved. This, she said, is one of the largest genetic disease screening initiatives in the world.

The President said Madhya Pradesh has made a significant contribution to this achievement. More than 12.5 million people have been screened in the state so far, and most of them have also been provided Genetic Counselling Cards.

President Smt. Murmu said Government of India has treated the challenge of Sickle Cell Disease with utmost seriousness and adopted a comprehensive approach during the past few years. Nearly three years ago, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh. Behind this initiative was not only a strong governmental commitment but also a far-sighted vision to address every dimension of this challenge.

She said she had been informed that this was the first mission in the country implemented through a joint model of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It was not viewed merely as a health issue, but as a matter of tribal health, genetic awareness, preventive healthcare and behavioural change. Scientific and social studies conducted by ICMR, Tribal Health Research Institutes, AIIMS, NHM, WHO and various state governments formed the foundation of this mission.

The studies indicated that:

• Approximately 20 to 25 million people in India may be carriers of the Sickle Cell gene.
• Millions are suffering from active disease.
• Central India’s tribal regions are most affected.
• Many families had been affected by this disease for generations without even knowing its name.

President Smt. Murmu said studies also revealed that prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease in tribal areas is several times higher than in the general population. Consequently, for the first time in the country, a nationwide campaign was launched by integrating public health, tribal welfare, genetic science and digital monitoring. States participating in this campaign across 17 states have actively contributed to its implementation.

The President said she was deeply impressed by the mission’s vision and highlighted its three major dimensions:

• First: Large-scale awareness generation and pre-marital genetic counselling.
• Second: Comprehensive screening for early identification of disease.
• Third: Ensuring continuity of healthcare through integrated disease management.

President Smt. Murmu said that from a public health perspective, such largescale genetic screening linked with digital tracking is being undertaken for the first time in the country. As a result of mission-mode screening, nearly 250,000 people affected by Sickle Cell-related diseases and more than 2 million carriers have been identified so far.

She said the challenge associated with such a large number of carriers needs to be understood. Carriers generally do not show symptoms and therefore remain unaware of the seriousness of future risks. Most carriers do not realise that they may unknowingly pass on the disease to their children. She expressed satisfaction that Central and State Governments have undertaken commendable work in identifying patients and carriers and ensuring proper healthcare for them.

The President said she had been informed that in Madhya Pradesh, Point-of-Care Test-based screening facilities for affected individuals, pregnant women and newborns have been expanded up to Ayushman Arogya Mandir level. Under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan” conducted from September 17 to October 2 last year, Madhya Pradesh set a record by screening more than 400,000 women for Sickle Cell Disease.

Large-scale screening of students is also being carried out in the state. Tribal students are being connected with counselling, treatment and healthcare services. Continuous screening is being conducted through Mobile Medical Units in remote and inaccessible tribal areas.

President Smt. Murmu said the “Sickle Mitra” initiative was launched in the state on World Sickle Cell Day last year. Under this initiative, representatives of government and non-government institutions, voluntary organisations and NCC cadets have been trained to create awareness, assist patients and connect them with government healthcare services.

She congratulated all government and non-government institutions of the state for these meaningful initiatives. Expressing confidence, she said that through collective strength and active participation of all states, India would achieve its national goal of eliminating Sickle Cell-related diseases well before 2047. She also said that Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in the country and expressed hope that the state would set many new benchmarks in tribal development.

Digital and Genetic Cards are Like Birth Charts for Society: Governor Shri Patel

Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel said that Sickle Cell Disease is not merely a health issue but a serious challenge linked to social and economic development, especially among tribal communities. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Sickle Cell elimination has been transformed into a national mission. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission-2047 was launched by Prime Minister Shri Modi from Shahdol in 2023, and Madhya Pradesh has been implementing it with the highest priority.

Governor Shri Patel said that more than 13.2 million people have already been screened in the state and nearly 95 to 96 per cent of the work has been completed. The remaining work is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.

He said the campaign has played a major role in increasing awareness and vigilance regarding the disease in tribal areas. He said that efforts are being made to integrate Ayurvedic medicines with allopathic treatment, and initial results have been encouraging. He appealed to patients to adopt a coordinated approach using both systems of treatment.

Describing Digital Genetic Cards as important for matrimonial alliances, he said these cards are as useful as birth charts and should be matched before marriage. This would help protect future generations from this hereditary disease.

Sickle Cell Elimination Mission is Not Merely an Event but a Commitment to Secure Future Generations: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that the programme organised at the land sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya and associated with tribal icon Tantya Mama is not merely an event but a commitment towards securing the future of coming generations.

He said that through National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission, the country and state are jointly working to prevent this serious disease by increasing public awareness. The campaign seeks to protect future generations from Sickle Cell Disease, which affects not only individuals, but entire families and successive generations.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav welcomed President Smt. Murmu and said her presence had strengthened this resolve further. Referring to National Sickle Cell Mission launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from Shahdol in 2023, he said the campaign has now evolved into a nationwide people’s movement.

He informed that identification of pregnant women, counselling, genetic counselling and distribution of Sickle Cell Cards are being undertaken rapidly in the state. More than 3,700 Sickle Mitras are actively contributing to awareness efforts.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said the state government continues to strengthen healthcare services. He said that while the state once had only five medical colleges, the number is now increased to 32. Ayurvedic medical education is also being expanded rapidly.

Reaffirming commitment towards tribal development, he said the state government is progressing on every development parameter. A university is being established in Khargone in the name of Krantisurya Tantya Mama. Cabinet meetings have been organised in honour of great heroes such as Veerangana Rani Durgavati and Raja Bhabhut Singh. Museums dedicated to Badal Bhoi in Chhindwara and Raja Shankar Shah-Raghunath Shah in Jabalpur have been inaugurated.

To preserve cultural heritage, tribal festival Bhagoria has been accorded status of a State Festival. Girls’ hostels have also been named after tribal heroes. Welfare and holistic development of tribal communities remain a priority of the government.

He said the fight against Sickle Cell Disease can only be won through participation of every section of society. Taking a pledge on the sacred land of Maa Narmada and Omkareshwar Maharaj, he said the campaign would continue until complete success is achieved. He also thanked President Smt. Droupadi Murmu for visiting the state.

Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health and Medical Education Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla said Madhya Pradesh has performed exceptionally well under Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission-2047. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched this mission from Shahdol in 2023 to eradicate the disease at its roots, and efforts of Governor Shri Patel have further accelerated the campaign.

More than 13.2 million people have already been screened in tribal-dominated districts of the state. Madhya Pradesh is among the leading states in Sickle Cell screening. Under leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, the state has set a target of conducting 16 million screenings by the end of 2026.

He said Sickle Cell Screening Cards are now being matched before marriage, even before traditional horoscope matching. Awareness campaigns are being conducted across the state to ensure that no individual becomes an uninformed carrier of the disease.

President Smt. Murmu also honoured representatives of Gram Panchayats and officials for outstanding work under National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission-2047.

President Smt. Murmu Visits ExhibitionAppreciates Schemes Being Implemented in State

President Smt. Murmu visited the exhibition organised during the state-level World Sickle Cell Day-2026 programme under National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission-2047 at Omkareshwar.

During her visit, she received information about initiatives, innovations and public awareness campaigns being undertaken in Madhya Pradesh under the mission. She appreciated efforts made by the state government to prevent Sickle Cell Disease, ensure timely screening and treatment, and extend healthcare services to affected families.

Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla, AYUSH Minister Shri Inder Singh Parmar, Tribal Affairs Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Religious Trusts and Endowments Shri Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education Shri Narendra Shivaji Patel, Member of Parliament Shri Gyaneshwar Patil, MLAs, public representatives, senior administrative officials and Sickle Cell Mitras were present on the occasion.