**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM) has made significant strides in nationwide screening and management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). As of July 31, 2025, over 60 million screenings have been conducted in 17 tribal-dominated states. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has validated 30 Point of Care Tests (PoCT) and 5 Non-Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) assays for SCD screening, which are being utilized across the country. The standardized cost norm for screening is set at ₹100 per person, covering screening, record-keeping, and related expenses. Screenings are conducted at all health facilities, from District Hospitals to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). Patients diagnosed with SCD receive comprehensive care including frequent follow-ups, lifestyle and premarital counseling, nutritional support via folic acid tablets, yoga and wellness sessions, and management of crisis symptoms with referrals when needed. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has supported the development and dissemination of awareness and counseling materials. Fifteen Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across 14 states have been approved with funding support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. ICMR, through the National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and a Centre for Research Management and Control of Hemoglobinopathies in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, supports national SCD programs. This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on August 19, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission: A national health mission in India focused on eliminating sickle cell anemia.
ICMR: Indian Council of Medical Research, an apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India that is responsible for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: A type of health and wellness center in India, formerly known as Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres, providing primary healthcare services.
Sickle Cell Disease: A genetic blood disorder.
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: Location of ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH).
Chandrapur, Maharashtra: Location of Centre for Research Management and Control of Hemoglobinopathies.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination
Mission
ICMR validated 30 Point of care tests and 5 Non-
Rapid Diagnostic Test assays for SCD screening
nationwide
Over 6 crore screenings conducted in 17 tribal-
dominated states as of July 2025
Standardized cost norm of 100 set for sickle cell
disease screening
15 Centres of Excellence approved across 14 states
with funding support from Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Posted On: 19 AUG 2025 3:04PM by PIB Delhi
Under National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM), screenings are conducted at all health
facilities from District Hospitals up to Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) level across the country for
diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease. As on date, a total of 30 Point of care tests (PoCT) and 5 Non-Rapid
Diagnostic Test (RDT) Assays validated tests for screening of SCD have been approved by ICMR and are
used by States for screening. As on 31.07.2025, a total of 6,07,30,111 screenings have been done in the 17
identified tribal dominated States. Cost norms for screening of SCD have been approved as Rs. 100/person
which includes cost of screening, record keeping and related cost.
Patients living with SCD are provided with the following services/ facilities for improving their quality of life
through AAM- Sub Health Centres (SHC) and AAM- Primary Health Centres (PHCs):
• Follow-up of diseased individuals at frequent intervals.
• Counseling regarding lifestyle management, pre-marriage and pre-natal decisions.
• Nutritional supplementation support through distribution of folic acid tablets.
• Conducting yoga and wellness sessions.• Management of crisis symptoms and referral to higher facilities.
Through Ministry of Tribal Affairs, awareness and counseling material have been developed and disseminated
to the States & UTs. Through monthly Ayushman Arogya Shivirs, awareness is raised for various health
programmes including SCD.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidelines for cost norms for establishment of Centres of
Excellence (CoE) on SCD funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in various states. As on date, 15 CoEs
have been approved in the country across 14 States by MoTA.
Under Department of Health Research, ICMR has established the ICMR-National Institute for Research in
Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh and a Centre for Research Management and Control of
Hemoglobinopathies in Chandrapur, Maharashtra which supports national programs including sickle cell
disease.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply
in the Rajya Sabha today.
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MV
HFW/ PQ/Update on NSCAEM/19 August2025/3
(Release ID: 2157878)