Let’s Fight Fatigue!
Sickle cell anaemia is a form of inherited blood disorder, sickle cell disease. Red blood cells’ internal structure, which affects how well they transport oxygen throughout the body How does it impact your body exactly? Most red blood cells are spherical and flexible, which makes it simple for them to move through blood vessels. However, some red blood cells with sickle cell anaemia have a crescent moon or sickle shape. These sickle cells also become sticky, which slows or blocks blood flow. For the majority of sickle cell anaemia patients, there is no cure.
Red blood cells have a 120-day lifespan before needing to be replaced, however anaemia caused by this condition reduces that to 10–20 days. Treatments can reduce suffering and help with disease consequences. India, home to over 20 million SCD sufferers, has the greatest disease prevalence in South Asia. It is a significant public health issue in India, especially for women and children. Nearly 20% of the affected tribal children die before turning two, and 30% of children die before turning adults.
Here’s How India Will Fight Back!
During her presentation of the Union Budget 2023–24 to the Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the government has planned to operate in a mission manner to eradicate sickle cell anaemia by 2047. Looking at the prevalence, the finance minister also revealed intentions to build 157 new nursing colleges in core areas of the 157 medical institutions already operating since 2014. Through joint efforts of central ministries and state governments. This programme will involve raising awareness, universal screening of 7 crore people in the 0–40 age group in affected tribal areas, and counselling.
The introduction of the AMB (The Anemia Mukt Bharat) Index is a critical milestone in the nation’s initiatives to lessen the impact of anaemia and enhance public health. The government will launch an awareness programme in tribal areas affected by sickle-cell anaemia, according to our Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. On May 1, he announced that they had performed over 20 lakh screenings so far to meet this target. We are committed to eliminating this disease of genetic blood disorder by working with the spirit of Jan Bhagidari,” he further stated in the active voice.
Let’s Look At The Bigger Picture
The Indian government’s attempts to eradicate sickle cell anaemia can also benefit mental health. Chronic pain and other physical symptoms brought on by sickle cell anaemia may have an adverse effect on a person’s well-being and mental health. He went on to say, “Researchers have connected anaemia to an increased risk of sadness and anxiety. Another study found a connection between anaemia and greater psychological pain in women. Eradicating this will free those who have the ailment from the burden of the illness, both physically and mentally.
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