India Speeds Up National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission Drive

President Droupadi Murmu announced that India has advanced its National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission by completing early screenings of 7 crore citizens. Speaking in Madhya Pradesh, she expressed immense confidence that the country will eradicate this genetic blood disorder well before the original 2047 target deadline.

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday graced the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, and described India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission as one of the largest genetic disease screening initiatives in the world.

Speaking at the event, the President said the observance of International Sickle Cell Day reflects a meaningful effort to address a major health challenge. She noted that the target of screening under the national mission had been achieved ahead of schedule.

The President said that screening of around 7 crore people—from newborns to individuals up to 40 years of age—has been completed, calling it a significant public health achievement. She added that approximately 2.5 lakh patients have been identified so far, along with over 20 lakh carriers of the disease.

President Murmu emphasised the importance of addressing the challenges posed by the large number of carriers and appreciated both the Centre and state governments for ensuring identification as well as proper healthcare support for patients and carriers.

She also underlined Madhya Pradesh’s role in the programme, noting that the state screened over 4 lakh women under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan” between September 17 and October 2, 2025.

Further, the President highlighted the “Sickle Mitra” initiative launched by the Madhya Pradesh government on International Sickle Cell Day last year. Under the programme, government and non-government representatives, along with NCC cadets, have been trained to spread awareness and assist patients.

The President expressed confidence that collective efforts by all states would help India achieve its goal of eliminating sickle cell-related diseases well before 2047.

Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)

President of India Droupadi Murmu on Friday graced the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration event, highlighting the scale and impact of India’s ongoing efforts under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said the observance of International Sickle Cell Day marks a meaningful step towards addressing a major health challenge. She noted that the target of screening under the mission has been achieved ahead of schedule, calling it one of the largest initiatives for genetic disease screening globally.

The President stated that around 7 crore people, including newborns and individuals up to 40 years of age, have been screened under the programme. She said that through mission-mode implementation, sickle cell disease has been detected in approximately 2.5 lakh people, while over 20 lakh carriers have also been identified.

Emphasising the need for sustained healthcare support, the President underlined the importance of addressing the large number of carriers identified through the exercise. She appreciated both the Central and State governments for ensuring timely identification as well as healthcare support for patients and caregivers.

Highlighting state-level efforts, she noted that Madhya Pradesh has played a significant role, including screening over 4 lakh women under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan” conducted from September 17 to October 2, 2025.

The President also mentioned the “Sickle Mitra” initiative launched by the Madhya Pradesh government on International Sickle Cell Day last year, under which government and non-government representatives, voluntary organisations, and NCC cadets have been trained to support awareness and assistance for patients.

READ MORE: Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav join the national state-level healthcare platform.

She expressed confidence that with the collective efforts of all states, India would achieve its goal of eliminating sickle cell-related diseases well before 2047.

Future Outlook

The massive expansion of mobile medical units and digital tracking tracking platforms under the 2047 timeline marks a shift toward localized tribal healthcare. Moving forward, the Ministry of AYUSH, Tribal Affairs, and Public Health departments are converging to deliver mandatory genetic counseling. This coordinated safety net aims to curb intergenerational transmission across vulnerable communities completely.

FAQs

What is the primary objective of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission?

The mission aims to completely eradicate sickle cell disease in India. While the official national target is set for the year 2047, recent accelerated screening benchmarks indicate the country is on track to eliminate the genetic disorder much earlier.

How many people have been screened under this Indian health initiative so far?

Medical authorities have successfully screened approximately 7 crore individuals ahead of the projected timeline. This widespread diagnostic drive includes newborns and citizens up to 40 years of age to catch cases early.

What did the diagnostic data reveal regarding patients and carriers?

The mission-mode tracking system successfully detected the disease in 2.5 lakh individuals. Additionally, the intensive screening identified more than 20 lakh citizens who act as genetic carriers of the blood disorder.

What is the “Sickle Mitra” initiative in Madhya Pradesh?

Launched on International Sickle Cell Day, this program trains civil representatives, non-governmental voluntary organizations, and NCC cadets. These trained teams spread public health awareness, manage local counseling, and directly assist patients with their treatments.