For some, death begins at birth. It aptly applies to the tribal children in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari districts. The medical officers have found that the children are suffering from sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The tribals are prone to it due to various factors including malnutrition and consanguineous marriages.
Turbidity test was conducted on 69,792 of the 1,53,520 children studying in ashram schools, Gurukul schools, and Kasturba schools in the tribal areas. The doctors found that 762 children had Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) while 34 were found to be suffering from the sickle cell disease. Seven cases were detected in Srikakulam, 15 in Visakhapatnam, 19 in East Godavari and 34 in West Godavari district.
Special medication
The Tribal Welfare department has taken up the study under thalassemia, anaemia and sickle cell anaemia (TAS) programme launched in March 2017. “We are providing special medication to treat the traits or symptoms. The children are being provided medication and special diet,” says the department.
The Medical and Health department says tribal communities like Bagata are suffering from the SCA. In agency areas like Paderu, Araku and Chintapalli, 115 SCA cases were detected predominantly in the 20 to 40 age group. Due to lack of proper medical facilities and malnutrition, the adults succumb to it. Hence, 40 years is the the outer limit, they say.
Awareness campaign
The tribal populations suffers from severe complications associated with ‘hemoglobinopathies’ (destruction of blood cells) and with marriages within the communities the incidence can grow at a rapid pace. Hence, the government has taken up an awareness campaign.
“Awareness among the tribals has increased. They are coming voluntarily for blood transfusion. The only problem is finding a donor. The department is arranging donors from nearby colleges,” explains a senior official.