India, Aug. 11 -- Many within India's tribal communities have been silently battling the debilitating genetic disorder known as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). For decades, this condition has taken a toll on their health and socioeconomic development, exacerbated further by geographic isolation and limited access to health care. Recognising this dire need, the Union government launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM) in July 2023. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to not only eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission but also restore dignity and health to millions affected by this condition.

Sickle cell disease alters the shape of red blood cells, impairing their oxygen-carrying capacity and leading to severe...