Genetic testing centre to come up at KGH for tackling sickle cell anaemia
A state-of-the-art genetic testing facility aimed at combating sickle cell anaemia among tribal communities will soon be set up at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned ₹4 crore for the project, which will function as a Centre of Competence (CoC) and is expected to become operational within the next three months.
Announcing the initiative on Wednesday, Minister for Medical and Health Satya Kumar Yadav described it as a milestone in tribal healthcare. “This centre will help us detect sickle cell anaemia at an early stage and ensure timely medical intervention. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications, reduce mortality, and improve the quality of life of patients,” he said.
The upcoming facility will focus on genetic screening of couples to determine carrier status and the risk of transmission to their children. It will also introduce newborn screening through blood sample analysis, enabling early detection and medical care.“This is not only about treating patients but also about breaking the cycle of transmission in future generations,” Mr. Yadav added.
Officials from the Andhra Pradesh Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APMSIDC) confirmed that tenders have already been floated for procuring advanced diagnostic equipment. The facility will be located adjacent to the emergency ward of KGH, one of the oldest and largest government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh.
Sickle cell anaemia, a genetic blood disorder that distorts red blood cells into a crescent shape and obstructs blood flow, remains a serious public health challenge in tribal belts across India. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs estimates that the disease affects lakhs of people, particularly in states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
A senior Ministry official said the government has set a target to eradicate sickle cell anaemia by 2047 as part of its vision for Viksit Bharat. “Setting up genetic testing centres in 17 states, including Andhra Pradesh, is a significant step towards that target,” the official noted.
Public health experts have welcomed the move, stressing that while awareness about the disease is limited in tribal pockets, early testing, counselling, and preventive care could significantly reduce its prevalence in the coming decades.
Once functional, the KGH genetic testing centre will not only serve Visakhapatnam district but also cater to tribal populations in Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram-Manyam, and Srikakulam districts.