Nagpur: A large-scale survey conducted by Nagpur’s Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has shed light on the prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the region. “We screened over 58,000 residents across Nagpur city and Nagpur district’s rural areas in collaboration with the health departments of the district administration and zilla parishad,” said Dr Uday Narlawar, dean (UG) and head of community medicine department at GMCH. Screening camps were strategically held in schools and colleges, targeting marriageable youths to prevent future births of children with sickle cell disease, he added. The HPOS sickle cell test dashboard data reveals that the initial phase of the survey successfully screened 59,828 individuals. Nearly 4% (approximately 2,000) were identified as sickle cell trait carriers, while 181 individuals were diagnosed with sickle cell disease. The GMCH goal is to complete 1 lakh screenings by August. The final data analysis will provide valuable insights and guide treatment protocols. This is India’s first comprehensive sickle cell survey programme with experts welcoming it. “We feel that every district in Maharashtra should run it through nearby GMCs. The impact will be very good if we can trace the carriers and disease patients at an early age,” said an expert. Across Nagpur division, districts like Bhandara and Gondia are taking proactive measures. Dr Nitin Wankhede, Bhandara’s district health officer, said that free sickle cell solubility checks are available at all healthcare centres.Dr Arvind Kumar Waghmare, assistant district health officer, echoed the importance of screening. “A simple blood test can be life-changing,” he said, urging youngsters to get tested before getting hitched.Dr Vinky Rughwani, president of Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of India, plays a pivotal role in advocating widespread screening. He emphasized a multi-pronged approach. “University students form a large marriageable age group. By making sickle cell testing mandatory for admission, we can identify carriers early and prevent future complications,” he explained.Citing the success of their screening programme for pregnant women, Dr Rughwani said, “Early detection allows couples with the trait to undergo genetic counselling and consider pre-natal testing options like CVS. This effectively prevents the transmission of sickle cell disease to their offspring. This programme by our centre and Sankalp India Foundation serves as a successful model for large-scale screening initiatives.”
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