Sickle cell mission crosses 6 crore screenings
On 22 July 2025, the Health Ministry said 6 crore people had been screened for sickle cell disease under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, against a target of 7 crore.
Summary
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission has screened 6 crore people for sickle cell disease against a target of 7 crore, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on 22 July 2025. Of those screened, 2.15 lakh were diagnosed with the disease and 16.7 lakh carriers were identified, and 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed. The highest numbers of diagnosed cases are in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the mission at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, on 1 July 2023; it aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047, with universal screening of 7 crore people aged 0-40 in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26.
Key facts
- Date
- 22 July 2025
- Screened
- 6 crore of 7 crore target
- Diagnosed / carriers
- 2.15 lakh / 16.7 lakh
- Health cards
- 2.6 crore
- Launched
- 1 July 2023, Shahdol (MP)
- Goal
- Elimination by 2047
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where was the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission launched by the Prime Minister on 1 July 2023?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh
PIB (22 July 2025): the mission was inaugurated on 1 July 2023 by the Prime Minister at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
As of July 2025, how many people had been screened under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission?
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Correct answer: A — 6 crore
PIB: 6 crore individuals have been screened against the target of 7 crore; 2.6 crore is the number of health cards distributed.
Consider the following statements about the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: 1. It aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia in India by 2047. 2. It targets universal screening of 7 crore people aged 0-40 years in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26. 3. Screening uses validated Point-of-Care Testing kits. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (22 July 2025): the mission aims at elimination by 2047 and universal screening of 7 crore people aged 0-40 in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26, using validated POCT kits. All correct.