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Correspondence to Author: Shanti Lal Choubisa ^1,2*. 

1.Department of Advanced Science and Technology, National Institute of Medical Science and Research, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303121, India.
2. Former Department of Zoology, Government Meera Girls College, MLS University, Udaipur, Rajasthan 303002, India

Abstract:

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood-borne disease that is inherited from one generation to the next in humans and is most common in young people. This fatal disease causes anaemia; hence it is also called sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The disease also causes pain crises, stunted growth, affects multiple organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones, brain. The disease is the result of a “point mutation” in the haemoglobin (Hb) gene located on autosome 11. People suffering from this disease do not survive long and it becomes more severe with age. The disease is endemic in geographical areas where malaria is prevalent. In India, the disease is endemic and widespread, mainly in tribal areas and among various tribal communities. In the country, the gene of this disease (Hb-S) is found in 0-18% of the tribals of Northeast India, 0-33.5% in Western India, 1-40% in Southern India, 22.5-44.4% in Central India, while its frequency has been found to be between 0.31-0.41%. This disease is not only affecting the entire life of the tribals in the country, but is also causing them huge economic losses. This disease causes morbidity and mortality among the tribals, therefore, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has taken a comprehensive and challenging step to eliminate this disease as a public health problem by 2047 through the “National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission” launched on 1st July 2023. To eliminate SCD, the main focus of this mission is on identification, management, prevention, and awareness. Presently, as on 18th March 2025, about 5.11 crore persons in the age group of 0-40 years have been screened in 278 SCD affected tribal districts and 1,91,103 SCD (Hb-SS) cases and 13,73,597 carriers (Hb-AS) have been identified in a short period. If this mission continues at the same pace and works sincerely, it is possible to completely eliminate the spread of this disease from Indian tribes or reduce its prevalence. However, its success rate depends on certain factors, which have been focused upon in this communication. Also, the author has drawn attention to the social problem created in the tribal communities due to this mission, which has also been highlighted.

Keywords: Elimination; Heterozygotes; Homozygotes; Malaria; Red cell genetic disorders; Sickle cell anaemia (SCA); Sickle cell disease (SCD); Sickle Cell genes; Tribes.

Citation:

Dr. Shanti Lal Choubisa, Is It Possible To Eliminate Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Among Indian Tribes?. World Journal of Epidemiology 2025.