Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic condition, is widespread among the tribal population in
India where about 1 in 86 births among STs have SCD. It affects haemoglobin (responsible for
carrying oxygen in the body) in red blood cells, which can result in morbidity and mortality
via distinct pathways. Therefore, an early detection and treatment of SDC is of utmost
importance for improved health conditions as a nation.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has launched the Sickle Cell Disease Support Corner to
bridge the gap between patients and health care services in tribal areas. The Portal provides
a web-based patient powered registration system which will collate all information related to
SCD among tribal people in India, including proving them a platform to register themselves if
they have the disease or the trait.
The support corner envisioned as a one stop portal with information around SCD in Tribal
Regions of India. The portal will give access to real time data to every visitor through a
dashboard, online self-registration facility, and will act as a knowledge repository with
information about the disease and various government initiatives. The National Council on
Sickle Cell Disease has also been constituted of senior officials of GoI and health care
private and public bodies for timely and effective action.