New Delhi, July 22 -- The ongoing ambitious National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission has revealed a significant public health challenge, with more than 18.85 lakh individuals identified as either suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or carrying the trait, according to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry today.
As of now, six crore individuals have been screened against a target of seven crore. Sickle cell disease - also called sickle cell anemia - is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells.
Of those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals have been diagnosed with the disease, and 16.7 lakh have been identified as carriers. Health experts have flagged the n...