Jaipur: The Union govt has selected RNT Medical College in Udaipur as a Centre of Competence for Sickle Cell Disease. For this purpose, a detailed presentation of all medical colleges was held online on Nov 7 and 10 centres were selected, with RNT being the only one from Rajasthan. The selection criteria included high-quality testing and treatment, trained doctors and nursing staff, and excellent blood bank services.
The centre of competence will primarily cater to tribal populations in south Rajasthan, where SCD prevalence is high. This hereditary blood disorder requires lifelong medical attention and significantly impacts mortality across age groups. Recent screening at RNT medical college identified 430 SCD-positive cases among 23,107 newborns, showing a 1.9% positivity rate, necessitating enhanced interventions.
"We sent the proposal for the establishment of CoC at RNT medical college to the ministry of tribal affairs for consideration. We have received approval for the CoC," said Dr Lakhan Poswal, nodal officer (SCD) at RNT medical college. The tribal affairs ministry has documented substantial SCD presence in tribal communities across India, particularly in states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.
Dr Poswal said the CoC will provide prenatal diagnostic services, counselling, and establish early intervention units for managing complications. Although a definitive cure is not available, appropriate management can minimise severity and complications, improving patients' quality of life and survival rates.
The ministry requires the CoC to begin operations within 120 days of approval. After receiving ministry funding for two years, RNT medical college will maintain CoC services for tribal populations. The institution will act as the ministry's representative for tribal health programmes, coordinating with district medical facilities.
Newly approved CoCs must present their facility development plans, community outreach strategies, and coordination arrangements with district hospitals, CHCs and PHCs within 30 days. Layout designs must be submitted before funding disbursement. The approval requires maintaining full staffing, with any vacancies to be filled within 60 days.