NASCO amplifying the voice of Sickle Cell Warriors

Nagpur: Dr Kshitij Suryawanshi has been working at Ajgaon Primary Health Centre in Bhandara district as medical officer from the last two years. But, his connect to the hospital is more than 20 years old.
“I was first hospitalized when I was 9 months old. Since then, hospitalization has been a part of my life. I require 2 or 3 hospitalizations every year. This is the way of my life. I have accepted sickle cell as my conjoined twin,” said Dr Kshitij, who was born with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Fighting all odds, pain, regular blood transfusion, and frequent hospitalization – Kshitij became a doctor and joined government service. Not only this, he got infected with Covid-19 while serving patients recently and fought bravely against it.
“My SpO2 level was in seventies. I thank doctors who saved me. Now, I am back to work,” said Dr Kshitij, who is not only a proud Covid warrior but a sickle cell warrior too.
There are many like him who are living with sickle cell with a smile and achieved a lot in their lives. Stories of such unsung heroes from across the country are coming forward, thanks to the National Alliance Of Sickle Cell Organisations (NASCO) formed last year with Nagpur as its headquarters.
“Within a year of its establishment, NASCO has done an important job of bringing up sickle cell patients together. Our presence is now in seven states and we will soon be pan India,” said Gautam Dongre, secretary of NASCO, who is from Nagpur. The president MS Saraswathi is from Kerala, vice-president Birendra Sahu is from Odisha, and members are from Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka. There are 17 NGOs and health sector organizations in India currently associated with NASCO. They are sharing their experience, resources and manpower with each other to support people living with the SCD.
This World Sickle Cell Day, NASCO introduced a term Sickle Cell Warriors and they shared the inspiring stories of their struggle and success to motivate others through their own YouTube channel. Total 19 such stories from across the country were shared there.
“Our work in last one year was mostly through virtual and digital medium. Still, our plans were appreciated by the government and we are now one of the members of National Council of Sickle Cell Disease formed under the aegis of ministry of tribal affairs and Ficci,” informed Dongre.