New Delhi, June 27 -- For millions of individuals, life with sickle cell disease (SCD) doesn't unfold in dramatic episodes-it wears on quietly, with relentless pain, fatigue, and uncertainty. Each day begins with a silent calculation: Will today bring a crisis? Can I make it through school or work without pain? Will the nearest clinic even have the medicines I need?

While often overlooked in mainstream conversations about public health, SCD remains one of India's most complex public health challenges. In India, the condition is more commonly found in specific geographic belts, including parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,...