Increase the use of AYUSH medicines in sickle cell management: Governor Shri Patel

A team of health experts from various states made a courtesy call on Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel at Raj Bhavan in a workshop organised under the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission. Governor Shri Patel emphasised the usefulness of AYUSH medicines for sickle cell disease management. He discussed measures to improve the quality of life of patients. The Governor personally interacted with the representatives of various states and learnt about the best practices adopted by them in sickle cell management. He appreciated the steps taken by Madhya Pradesh in the management of sickle cell disease.

It is noteworthy that a 2-day workshop under the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission was organised on 23-24 October at Hotel Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Bhopal. Nodal officers of 17 states, health experts and various high-ranking officials of the state attended the workshop. Additional Secretary and Mission Director Smt. Aradhana Patnaik discussed future strategies. Additional Secretary Smt. Patnaik visited Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Dhakna Chakna and Block Public Health Unit located in Raisen district and learned about their functioning.

Understanding the methodology of sickle cell management through field visit

On the first day, various aspects of sickle cell disease management, screening, treatment and disease status in tribal communities were discussed in detail. Experts highlighted the current methods of disease management and also discussed the possibilities of innovation in it. The representatives understood the methodology of sickle cell management during the field visit. The team visited Eklavya Model Residential School located at Bavadia Kala, where they observed sickle cell screening, disease management and counselling process among tribal children.

After this, the team toured the blood bank of Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital and observed automation, component separation and other new technologies. The team visited various units of BMHRC, such as Centre of Competence, Emergency Unit and Physiotherapy Unit and learnt about the facilities used in the management of sickle cell disease. On the second day, the role of bone marrow transplant, gene therapy and research in the elimination of sickle cell disease were discussed in detail. During this, representatives from various states shared their views.

The workshop was attended by Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Joint Secretary, Policy, Shri Saurabh Jain, Director National Health Mission, Shri Harsh Mangala, Principal Secretary, Public Health and Medical Education Department, Shri Sandeep Yadav and Mission Director, National Health Mission-Madhya Pradesh, Smt. Priyanka Das, Mission Directors of National Health Mission of 6 other states and Nodal Officers and representatives from 17 states.