1/3rd tested tribals suffering from sickle cell anaemia

Berhampur: Around one-third of the population of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in three blocks of Gajapati district have tested positive for sickle cell anaemia.
Altogether 365 PVTGs in three Gumma, Mohana and R.Udayagiri blocks were screened by the district administration in 13 special camps in the last one month. Out of them, 126 have sickle-cell anaemia and 79 of them are below 18 years of age, official sources said.
The Gajapati administration conducted the camps by involving different departments under AMLAM (Anaemia Mukta Lakshya Abhiyan), which was launched by the state government two months ago to detect sickle cell anaemia cases in the tribal pockets where PVTGs like Soura, Lanjia Soura and Dongria Kondh reside.
Those who have tested positive will be provided with the disabled certificate to avail government benefits like free blood and medicines, pension under social security schemes, among others. “We will conduct special schemes in more areas, particularly those dominated by tribes to detect sickle cell anaemia cases. The second phase of the drive will start in February,” said collector (Gajapati) Lingraj Panda. In Gajapati district, around 300 sickle cell anaemia patients have been detected and they get benefits under different schemes of the government.
Sickle cell anaemia is a form of an inherited blood disorder and is prevalent among tribals due to marriage among blood relations, said PK Patra, chief district medical officer (CDMO). “Besides testing, awareness among tribals have also been created about this genetic disorder,” said the CDMO. People who have sickle cell anaemia can live longer if it is detected early and treated, he said. “To get rid of sickle cell disease, it is necessary that young men and women get their blood tested before marriage. If symptoms of the disease are found in both, then they should not marry. This can prevent spread of the disease,” he said.