**Executive Summary**
On June 19, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu commemorated International Sickle Cell Day in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the progress of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. The mission achieved its target of screening seven crore people ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone in the national goal to eradicate the disease by 2047. The event underscored the importance of identifying carriers and expanding healthcare initiatives through state-level programs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**National Mission Progress**
* The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission is recognized as one of the world's largest genetic disease screening initiatives.
* Seven crore individuals, ranging from newborns to 40 years of age, have been screened.
* Screening efforts have detected approximately 2.5 lakh patients and identified over 20 lakh carriers of the disease.
**Madhya Pradesh State Initiatives**
* The "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan," held from September 17 to October 2, 2025, screened over four lakh women.
* The "Sickle Mitra" initiative was launched to train government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and NCC cadets.
* Trained volunteers under "Sickle Mitra" focus on raising awareness and providing direct assistance to patients.
**National Objectives and Strategy**
* The primary national goal is the total eradication of sickle cell-related diseases before the year 2047.
* Success is dependent on the "collective strength" and active engagement of all Indian states.
* Emphasis is placed on a dual approach: identifying patients/carriers and ensuring they receive proper healthcare.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central and State Governments**
**Impact**
Governments are tasked with managing one of the largest genetic screening and healthcare missions globally, requiring significant coordination and resource allocation.
**Action Required**
Maintain active engagement and "mission mode" operations to ensure the eradication of the disease by the 2047 deadline.
**Citizens (Patients and Carriers)**
**Impact**
Approximately 2.5 lakh patients and 20 lakh carriers have been identified, granting them access to formal diagnosis and potential healthcare pathways.
**Action Required**
Individuals within the target age bracket (newborns to 40) should participate in screening programs to identify disease or carrier status.
**Voluntary Organisations and NCC Cadets**
**Impact**
These groups are integrated into the public health framework through initiatives like "Sickle Mitra," shifting their role toward specialized health advocacy.
**Action Required**
Undergo training to effectively raise awareness and provide assistance to those affected by sickle cell disease.
**Healthcare Sector**
**Impact**
The sector must accommodate a large influx of identified patients and carriers requiring long-term management and specialized care.
**Action Required**
Develop and maintain infrastructure to provide "proper healthcare" to the millions identified through national screening efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: A national initiative for large-scale genetic disease screening and the eradication of sickle cell-related diseases in India by 2047.
Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan: A health screening campaign in Madhya Pradesh that achieved a record for screening over four lakh women for sickle cell disease.
Sickle Mitra: An initiative involving government, non-government organizations, and volunteers to raise awareness and provide assistance to sickle cell patients.
Droupadi Murmu: The President of India who emphasized the importance of mission-mode screening and the achievement of national health targets.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES INTERNATIONAL
SICKLE CELL DAY COMMEMORATION AT
OMKARESHWAR, MADHYA PRADESH
NATIONAL SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA ELIMINATION MISSION
IS ONE OF THE LARGEST INITIATIVES FOR GENETIC
DISEASE SCREENING IN THE WORLD: PRESIDENT
DROUPADI MURMU
प्रव तथ: 19 JUN 2026 1:24PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration at
Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh today (June 19, 2026).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that commemoration of the International Sickle Cell Day is a
meaningful effort towards addressing a significant challenge in the health sector. She was happy to note
that the target of screening under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was achieved
ahead of schedule. She said that screening of seven crore people, ranging from newborns to those up to 40
years of age, is not a small achievement; it is one of the largest initiatives for genetic disease screening in
the world.The President said that it is the result of screening conducted in mission mode that sickle cell disease has
been detected in approximately 2.5 lakh people so far, and over 20 lakh carriers of the disease have also
been identified. She underlined the need to understand the challenges posed by such a large number of
carriers. She appreciated the Central and State governments for not only identifying patients and carriers
of sickle cell disease but also for ensuring their proper healthcare. She said that the state of Madhya
Pradesh has made an invaluable contribution in addressing the issue of sickle cell disease by setting a
record for screening over four lakh women under the "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan" held from
September 17 to October 2, 2025.
The President noted that Madhya Pradesh government launched the "Sickle Mitra" initiative last year on
the International Sickle Cell Day. Under this initiative, representatives from government and non-
government institutions and voluntary organisations, as well as NCC cadets, have been trained to raiseawareness and provide assistance to patients. She expressed confidence that through the collective
strength and active engagement of all states, we will succeed in achieving our national goal of eradicating
sickle cell-related diseases from the country well before the year 2047.
Please click here to see the President's speech-
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