Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood condition that impacts a patient’s entire life.

INN/Hyderabad, @Infodeaofficial

For the ICMR National Task Force project, “Sickle cell disease-related stigma, economic loss, and quality of life among the tribal population of India, ASR District, Andhra Pradesh at Anantagiri Hills,” the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh (CTUAP) hosts a three-day meeting for project investigators and experts. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood condition that impacts a patient’s entire life.

Although it affects non-tribals as well, it is more prevalent among India’s tribal population. The meeting’s theme was introduced and the specialists from various parts of India were welcomed by Dr. Parikipandla Sridevi, the program’s convenor and principal investigator for the national sickle cell disease task force project financed by the Socio-Behavioral division of ICMR, Government of India.

Day’s chief patron In his speech, Prof. T.V. Kattimani, Vice-Chancellor of CTUAP, Vizianagaram, stressed the significance of the SCD research and the government of India’s efforts to launch the Sickle Cell Mission in 2021 for improved SCD screening and care among Indian populations. He also underlined that these efforts should be replicated around the world.

Dr. Bontha V Babu, director of NIIRNCD, Jodhpur, who sponsored the meeting, gave a keynote address on how to lessen stigma among sickle cell patients. Experts on lowering stigma among SCD patients included Dr. Mercian Daniel George Institute for Global Health, Dr. Rahul Shidhaye, Professor of Psychiatry at Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Ahmednagar, Dr. N Janardhana, Professor of Psychiatric Social Work at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, and Dr. Manoranjan R Ranjit Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR) in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

The audience was greatly impacted by the presence of sickle cell sufferers from the Araku Valley who shared their stories, coping mechanisms, and battles with the illness. During their research discussions, the project investigators, Dr. S.B. Surti from the Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Dr. Madhusmita Bal from the Regional Medical Research Centre in Odisha, Dr. Deepa Bhat from JSS Medical College in Karnataka, and Dr. Jatin Sarma from Bodoland University in Assam, emphasised the significance of enhancing the government health care system and building capacity for the treatment of sickle cell disease in tribal and rural populations.

Scientist D, Dr. Yogita Sharma from New Delhi, Dr. Anirudh Kumar, the project’s co-principal investigator, and scientists from other project locations took part in the event. The program’s effectiveness was greatly aided by the project staff, who included Dr. Ravi Babu Birudu, Mr. Anil, and Mrs. Chinnatalli.