Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that comprehensive efforts are needed to prevent blood-borne diseases, especially sickle cell anemia. He said that in his experience it is relatively difficult for economically poor and tribal people living in remote areas to reach medical centers. We will have to take spread awareness within the identified community. The work of survey, testing, genetic counselling, health education and public awareness should be expanded.
Governor Patel was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day clinical training workshop on Prevention and Management of Hemoglobinopathy organized at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC).
He also released the souvenir of the workshop. The workshop has been organized by the Blood Transfusion Department of Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Center in collaboration with the Indian Medical Council, Department of Health Research and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Patel said that sickle cell genetic form, being a carrier and patient in a person, is the origin of 21 types of other diseases. It is critically essential that the disease is screened, tested, genetic counselling, marriage counseling till the last level. In fact pregnancy testing and medical consultation should be done on a large scale. Along with organizing medical camps in remote areas and for the deprived sections, it is necessary to sensitize school, college teachers and Anganwadi workers of the area regarding hemoglobinopathy diseases. Innovations should be made in spreading information about disease patterns, essential lifestyle and eating habits. The referral system to high-efficiency medical institutions should be strengthened. Also, the knowledge and tradition of traditional medical methods should be authentically added to the disease management efforts.
Governor Patel told that about 45 years ago, He met a child suffering from sickle cell had come in contact with him, who despite being taken to Mumbai to see a doctor, succumbed within 4 months. This incident affected him deeply. Since then he has been working in this direction. Referring to the efforts made to eradicate sickle cell anemia disease in Gujarat during the tenure of Modi as Chief Minister, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a provision of Rs 15 thousand crore by making a mission to eradicate sickle cell anemia by the year 2047. Co-ordinated efforts are needed for prevention and management of the disease. He said that the state government is carrying out disease management work on a large scale in 20 tribal dominated districts. Approximately 12 lakh genetic cards have also been distributed. Physicians have been requested to use their influence to motivate the affluent section of the society and industrial establishments to extend a helping hand in the efforts for eradication of the disease in the deprived sections.
Health Advisor of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Dr. Vineeta Srivastava told that Governor Patel’s work as the Tribal Affairs Minister of Gujarat State and his advice as Governor have guided the department. On his suggestion, Sickle Cell Center of Competence is being prepared. Efforts have been made for screening in collaboration with the AYUSH department. Health systems have been developed to identify anemia in children. Research work for gene editing has started. Efforts have been made to reach the backmost by preparing modules for public awareness and disease management and connecting self-help groups and social service organizations.
Indian Medical Council representative Dr. Geeta Jodhwani said that efforts to upgrade capacity by training field workers and doctors are necessary to reach the community. He said that research work should be done to develop indigenous techniques of modern treatment for prevention and treatment efforts. He also expressed the need to create sickle cell wards in hospitals for patients.
Earlier, The Governor said that about 45 years ago, when he was a member of the Municipality, he took a child suffering from sickle cell anemia to Mumbai. The doctor told him that if he wanted to keep this child alive, he should keep the child happy and feed him well. Unfortunately, this child died in 4 months. He has seen many such children die in front of his eyes. That's when he started gaining sympathy for the victims of sickle cell.
