Bhopal: Testing of sickle cell patients to be completed in 6 months

BHOPAL: Governor Mangubhai Patel, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took part in a workshop organised on holistic management of sickle cell disease at Indian Institute of Information Technology Designing and Manufacturing in Jabalpur on World Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Day on Sunday. The workshop was organised by ICMR, National Tribal Health Research Institute and Department of Public Health and Family Welfare.Governor said that sickle cell is a serious genetic disease and a challenge to humanity. If detected on time, the disease can be treated and the affected person can lead a normal life. The symptoms of sickle cell are apparent not only in the tribal community, but also in other communities. He said that the central and state governments are working on a concrete action plan for total eradication of sickle cell. Its prevention and relief campaign is being run in 14 tribal-dominated districts.He said that screening and testing should be done expeditiously for the diagnosis of sickle cell disease, which should be completed in next six months.