When was the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission launched by the Prime Minister?

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disease that affects the whole life of a patient. It is more common in the tribal population of India but occurs in non-tribals too. It not only causes anaemia but also pain crises, reduces growth, and affects many organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones and brain. To eliminate sickle cell disease, the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched by the Prime Minister from Madhya Pradesh on 1st July 2023. The objective of the Mission is the provision of affordable and accessible care to all Sickle Cell Diseased patients, quality of care for SCD patients and reduction in the prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease through awareness creation, universal screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in affected 278 districts of tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state government.   Through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, awareness and counseling material has been developed.