AP pushes stronger action on sickle cell anaemia at KGH meet

The Andhra Pradesh government, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Nature voluntary organisation, held a state-level consultation on sickle cell anaemia at the Centre of Competence in King George Hospital (KGH) under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

Officials from the Health, Tribal Welfare, and Social Welfare departments, experts from the Tribal University, doctors from SVR Government Hospital, Tirupati, faculty from KGH, and representatives of UNICEF and Nature NGO participated.

The discussion focused on improving early detection, timely treatment, and effective implementation of the programme, with special emphasis on tribal areas where prevalence is higher.

UNICEF’s awareness survey highlighted gaps such as low screening among newborns and pregnant women, delayed diagnosis, poor access to testing facilities in rural areas, and limited awareness, along with misconceptions and fear.

Participants identified key challenges, including inadequate diagnostic coverage, shortage of healthcare infrastructure in remote regions, lack of specialists, and persistent myths about the disease.

The meeting recommended expanding village-level testing facilities, ensuring the availability of medicines and diagnostic kits, strengthening blood banks, scaling up telemedicine services, and intensifying awareness campaigns in tribal areas. It also called for stronger counselling and patient support systems.

Officials reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating sickle cell anaemia through coordinated efforts with UNICEF and partner organisations, along with improved inter-departmental coordination to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

Senior officials and medical staff from KGH, including Superintendent Dr. I. Vani, Head of General Medicine Dr. Radhakrishnan, faculty from gynaecology and paediatrics, Hospital Administrator Dr. B. Kiran Kumar, and others, attended the programme.