World Sickle Cell Day also known as World Sickle Cells Awareness Day is annually observed across the globe on 19th June to raise awareness about the sickle cell disorders, the most frequent genetic disease across the globe.
The World Sickle Cell Day 2021 will be jointly organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), Congo Assistance Foundation, the Permanent Delegation of Congo to UNESCO and the Sickle Cell Disease International Organisation (SCDIO).
- The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/63/237 on 22 December 2008 and recognised the sickle cell anaemia as a public health problem.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):
SCD is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. The people with SCD have sticky red blood cells which look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”.
Cause:
SCD is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes from one from each parent.
Prevalence of SCD:
i.Globally the SCD is common in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Central America, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, Greece and Italy.
ii.In India the SCD is prevalent in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, western Odisha, eastern Gujarat, Tamil Nadu (Nilgiri Hills) and Kerala.
Events 2021:
SiNERGe in collaboration with Sickle Cell Disease Association of America(SCDAA) holds a 24 hour awareness campaign “Shine the Light on Sickle Cell”.
Events in India:
Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs virtually inaugurated the 2nd National Sickle Cell Conclave on ‘Sickle Cell Disease’, as a part of the celebration of World Sickle Cell Day. Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs addressed the conclave.
- The Conclave was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Novartis, Apollo Hospitals, Piramal Foundation, Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations (GASCDO) and NASCO.
