Sickle Cell Anemia Competency Center Representational Image: By Anirudh on Unsplash
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Gujarat Opens First Sickle Cell Center in Surat to Aid Tribal Healthcare

Gujarat establishes its first Center of Competency for sickle cell anemia in Surat, aiming to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and awareness among tribal communities

Sakshi Thakar

Sickle cell anemia predominantly affects tribal populations in Gujarat. According to the 2011 census, the state has approximately 891,262 individuals with the sickle cell trait and 66,845 suffering from the disease. The CoC's establishment in Surat, a region with a significant tribal population, underscores the government's commitment to addressing these health disparities.[1]

The center will also develop culturally appropriate awareness materials in local tribal languages to enhance communication and outreach. This approach ensures that educational efforts are effective and resonate with the target communities. Taking one giant step toward fighting sickle cell anemia, Gujarat has opened its first Centre of Competency (CoC) in Surat. The project, given a go-ahead by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a part of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission 2047 initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023.

The CoC, located at the New Civil Hospital, Surat, has a ₹6 crore funding support from the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and Tribal Affairs. The CoC is intended to be a focus point for sophisticated treatment, precise diagnostics, and comprehensive measures to eliminate sickle cell anemia, especially in tribal communities.

Comprehensive Facilities and Services

Sickle Cell Anemia Competency Center facilities

The center has a state-of-the-art laboratory, 30 beds, and two ICU beds. Free testing facilities, which would normally range from ₹200 to ₹300 in the private sector, are provided to make it more accessible to poor communities.

In addition to patient care, the CoC is concerned with education and research. It will offer specialized training to healthcare personnel, such as nodal officers and sickle cell counsellors from Gujarat's 14 tribal districts. The training will improve disease awareness and build healthcare capabilities among tribal communities.

Targeting Tribal Health Disparities

Sickle cell anemia mostly targets tribal communities in Gujarat. The state has about 891,262 people with the sickle cell trait and 66,845 with the disease, as per the 2011 census.[2] Setting up the CoC in Surat, a populous tribal area, reflects the government's focus on tackling these health inequalities.

The center will also formulate culturally relevant awareness materials in local tribal dialects to facilitate communication and outreach. This way, educational work is made effective and impacts the target communities.

A Model for Nationwide Implementation

Gujarat's proactive approach to managing sickle cell disease has positioned it as a model state in this domain. The state's initiatives, including free testing and awareness programs, have been recognized at the national level. The Surat CoC is expected to serve as a blueprint for similar centers across India, contributing significantly to the nationwide mission to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047.

The CoC in Surat is among the first such centers to be established in the country under this mission and is expected to play a key role in streamlining efforts toward the diagnosis, treatment, and management of sickle cell anemias.

References:

  1. Dr. Dhiraj J. Trivedi (2024). SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA AMONG DAHOD’S TRIBES: A GENETIC PERSPECTIVE. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, 3(5), 291-297. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14024676

  2. Goyal, Dr.Jagdish. “Hematological Profile of Sickle Cell Disease from South Gujarat, India.” Hematology Reports, 2012. doi:10.4081/HR.2012.E8.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)

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