NationalSunday, 27 September 2026·The Hindu - National
Odisha sickle cell programme: 17 states, 2047 elimination target and pre-marriage screening
Experts in Odisha highlighted sickle cell screening before marriage, linking it to the Union government’s 2023 elimination programme and the 2047 target.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On September 26, 2026, experts at the 16th annual congress of the Odisha Haematology Association discussed sickle cell disease in the context of the Union government’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme launched on July 1, 2023.
Key specifics
- The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme (NSCAEP) covers 17 high-prevalence states, including Odisha.
- The programme aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047.
- Available data cited in the report says 10.61% of the screened population in Odisha has sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease.
- Experts advised matching sickle cell medical reports before marriage, instead of horoscopes, to avoid genetic risk.
- Hydroxyurea is available in government hospitals, and prenatal diagnosis plus family screening were recommended as preventive steps.
Exam lens
TNPSC health-policy question type: scheme, year, target and preventive screening. Key facts: NSCAEP, launched July 1, 2023, 17 states, 2047 elimination goal, 10.61% screened in Odisha. One-liner: genetic disease control is now linked to community screening and marriage counselling.