Mission 2047: President Murmu Leads India’s Frontline Fight Against Sickle Cell

Image Source: Compass by Rau's IAS

President Droupadi Murmu is set to headline a major statelevel event in Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani district on June 19, marking World Sickle Cell Day. The programme, hosted under the National Sickle Cell Eradication Mission–2047, aims to spotlight tribal health and accelerate India’s goal of eliminating the disease by the centenary of independence.

Key Highlights:

The event will take place at Gram Panchayat Taloon’s sports stadium, with Governor Mangubhai Patel, CM Mohan Yadav, and Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla in attendance.
Innovations to be launched include a genetic counselling awareness video, new treatment guidelines for pregnant women, and the “Sickle Cell Mitra” initiative in collaboration with NCC Directorates of MP and Chhattisgarh.
33 districts across MP will host special counselling camps offering genetic screening, disease management education, and family testing.
Panchayats achieving 100% screening of the target age group will be felicitated.
Over 1.06 crore citizens have been screened in MP so far, with 29,277 diagnosed cases and 80 lakh+ sickle cell cards distributed.
Facilities like AIIMS Bhopal’s newborn testing lab and Indore’s bone marrow transplant unit are central to the mission’s medical backbone.

This initiative builds on PM Modi’s 2023 national launch and reflects a wholeofgovernment push to tackle a disease that disproportionately affects tribal populations. President Murmu’s presence underscores the urgency and inclusivity of the mission.

Sources: MENAFN, ABP Live, ThePrint