Hey people!
We are here with an article on the “World Sickle Cell Day”. In this article we will cover about the history, facts and other important details of this day.
World Sickle Cell day is celebrated globally every year on 19th June by the UN General Assembly. It is adopted to spread awareness and understanding about sickle cell disease (SCD). The day aims at putting forward the challenges these patients, their family and caregivers face.
Sickle Cell Day: History
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNAG) recognized sickle cell anaemia as a public health problem on December, 2008.
- The first observed the day on 19th June, 2009.
What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
SCD is red blood cells disorder. It is caused when sickle genes are passed down to a child from their parents. The red blood cells (RBCs) are generally round in shape. But due to this disorder the body makes unusual shaped red blood cells. But people with SCD have sticky red blood cells. Their cells are changed into a C- shaped farm tool called “sickle”. These cells do not live long as normal cells do. Blood flow and oxygen is blocked from reaching all parts of the body.
Facts of SCD
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions of people throughout the world.
- It is particularly common among those whose ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa; Regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
- In India it is more common in South Gujarat, north Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Western Odisha and in pockets of the Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In India it is prevalent in tribal areas.
- As per World Health Organization (WHO), it is one of the main causes of premature death among the children under age of 5. Every year more than 3 lakh babies are born with severe forms of haemoglobin diseases. These include thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
- In India SCD is affecting more women and children and nearly 20 per cent of tribal children who die before reaching the age of two, and 30% children die before reaching adulthood.
Events in India
To celebrate the day, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) organized the Second Online National Conclave on ‘Sickle Cell Disease in India’. It was in partnership with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Novartis, Piramal Foundation, Apollo Hospitals, NASCO and Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organization (GASCDO).
Shri Arjun Munda, Union Minister and Renuka Singh Sauta flagged off mobile vans under Unmukt Project. The aim is to strengthen screening and timely management of SCD. The project is started in Khunti district of Jharkhand and Kanker in Chhattisgarh. These are the 2 tribal districts with high prevalence of sickle Cell disease among tribals.
About UN:
Headquarters – New York, United States
Secretary General – Antonio Guterres
About WHO:
Headquarter – Geneva, Switzerland
Director General – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
So, this was all about the World Sickle Cell Day. We have covered all the relevant points on this topic. Hope you enjoyed reading it. We’ll be back soon with other interesting articles.
Till then stay tuned!
