Around 1.21 crore people are affected by sickle-cell anaemia, an incurable genetic disease, according to a recent study conducted across Maharashtra.
The incurable genetic disease, though non-contagious, has the administration worried
MUMBAI: Around 1.21 crore people — more than a tenth of the state’s population — are affected by sickle-cell anaemia, an incurable genetic disease, according to a recent study conducted across 19 districts in Maharashtra. Taking into consideration the gravity of the situation, the state government has now formed a committee and chalked out Rs50-crore plan to be implemented over the next four years.
The study, conducted by Indira Gandhi Medical College of Haemoglobinopathy, Nagpur, and Government Medical College, Dhule, revealed that the disease is more common in people belonging to the scheduled castes (SC), the scheduled tribes (ST) and tribal communities. The seriousness of the disease has been likened to that of AIDS because in sickle-cell anaemia, haemoglobin levels in patients are highly reduced and patients suffer from swollen limbs. The state administration has admitted that the spread of sickle-cell anaemia is dangerous. However, little attention has been paid to it.
The disease is prevalent in tribal and remote areas of Thane, Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Buldhana, Akola and other districts in central and north Maharashtra. Of the 7,534 people screened in Nagpur, 18.48 per cent tested positive. Of these, 13.4 per cent were SCs, 1.3 per cent were STs and 1.9 per cent from other backward castes. Officials from public health department claimed that though its hospitals had been attending to the patients, traditional ways of treatment could not be applied. Now, they must concentrate on awareness among the communities.
"Though the government is aware of its seriousness, the spurt in the disease is disturbing," said medical education minister Dilip Walse-Patil.
"Once the high-powered committee submits its report, we will approach the state cabinet for budgetary allocation towards the action-plan recommended for affected districts, talukas and villages."
Medical education department secretary Amitabh Chandra said the plan would be implemented in partnership with other departments like social justice, women and child welfare, and public health.
g_surendra@dnaindia.net
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