Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in India
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs2
- Articles1
Background
UPSC examines public health challenges, genetic disorders, and their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations like tribal communities, along with the socio-economic implications and government responses.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells, leading to chronic anaemia, pain crises, and organ damage. In India, it is a significant public health challenge, particularly prevalent among certain tribal and marginalized communities due to genetic factors.
Facts & tables
- Nature of Disease
- Genetic blood disorder affecting red blood cells, leading to chronic anaemia and complications.
- Affected Population
- High prevalence in tribal-dominated areas across 17 states in India.
- Symptoms & Complications
- Chronic anaemia, severe pain episodes (crises), increased susceptibility to infections, organ damage.
- Management Strategies
- Includes Hydroxyurea, folic acid supplementation, counselling, and crisis management.
| Category | Total Individuals |
|---|---|
| Diseased | 247,961 |
| Carriers | 2,035,181 |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Microbiology & Epidemiology |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) | Provides technical and financial support for screening and treatment |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Genetic blood disorder, prevalent in tribal areas.
- Causes anaemia, pain crises, organ damage.
- Managed with Hydroxyurea, folic acid, counselling.
- Targeted by NSCAEM for elimination by 2047.
- Screening for 0-40 years in 17 tribal states.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Microbiology & Epidemiology
Conceptual area
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Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
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TRIBLE CITIZENS SCREENED UNDER ANAEMIA MISSION
SCD is a genetic blood disorder prevalent in Indian tribal communities, causing anaemia and pain. Government efforts like NSCAEM focus on screening, diagnosis, and management using drugs like Hydroxyurea and counselling.
See also
Past papers
2023–2024 · 2 questions
In the news
TRIBLE CITIZENS SCREENED UNDER ANAEMIA MISSION
SCD is a genetic blood disorder prevalent in Indian tribal communities, causing anaemia and pain. Government efforts like NSCAEM focus on screening, diagnosis, and management using drugs like Hydroxyurea and counselling.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:
1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: Prophylactic Iron Folic Acid supplementation (not Prophylactic calcium) given to children, adolescents, women of reproductive age and pregnant women, irrespective of anaemia is a key continued intervention. * Statement 2 is correct: Promotion and monitoring of delayed clamping of the umbilical cord for at least 3 minutes (or until cord pulsations cease) for newborns across all health facilities will be carried out for improving the infants iron reserves up to 6 months after birth. Simultaneously, all birth attendants should make an effort to ensure early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. * Statement 3 is correct: The Anaemia Mukt Bharat, also integrates deworming of women of reproductive age and for pregnant women as part of the NDD strategy. Bi-annual mass deworming for children in the age groups between 1-19 years is carried out on designated dates 10th February and 10th August every year under National Deworming Day (NDD) programme. * Statement 4 is correct: The Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy attempts to intensify awareness and integrate screening and treatment for non-nutritional causes of anaemia with special focus on malaria, haemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called:
Operation Sadbhavana is a unique initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East regions. It focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population through various developmental activities and assistance. This includes providing education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promoting skill development initiatives. _Let's look at the other options:_ * Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. * Operation Maitri refers to the Indian Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to assist friendly countries. A notable example was the aid provided to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake. * Operation Madad is the Indian Navy's effort to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during natural calamities, both within India and to neighboring countries.