There is a need to have the spirit to achieve the target before the deadline: Governor Mangubhai Patel

Bhopal: Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that for the elimination of sickle cell by the year 2047, sensitivity, empathy along with commitment to disease elimination is necessary. The spirit of work should be to complete the target before the deadline. He said that the work of the Sickle Cell Mission is a means of serving humanity. This is a great opportunity to be a part of God’s grace. Governor Patel was reviewing the works of the Sickle Cell Mission at the Raj Bhavan. Deputy Chief Minister Public Health Medical Education Rajendra Shukla, AYUSH Minister Inder Singh Parmar were also present in the meeting. Governor Mangubhai Patel received information about sickle cell treatment, management and control efforts by the Health and AYUSH Department. He was told that under the mission, mega camps will be organized in all gram panchayats, Eklavya residential schools and hostels from June 19 to July 3. As many screening tests as possible will be done. Screening will be done through POC kits from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to district hospitals. Data of screening tests will be recorded in the portal every day. Genetic counseling will be done. Genetic counseling cards will be provided. Camps will be organized for sickle cell patients identified at block level and district level. Consultancy services of experts will be made available to them. Disability certificate and U.D.I.D. card will be provided to sickle cell patients and pension facility will be provided.

The AYUSH department informed that in connection with World Sickle Cell Day, camps will be organized in 78 AYUSH dispensaries operating in 20 tribal dominated districts. Kits of Ayurveda medicines helpful in sickle cell treatment will be distributed. Public awareness activities will be conducted towards conservation and promotion of local plants helpful in disease treatment. Prabhat Pheri, Yoga practice, Gram Sabha etc. will be organized for public awareness in every village affected by sickle cell anemia. Tribal Cell Chairman Deepak Khandekar, Principal Secretary Public Health Medical Education Sandeep Yadav, Additional Secretary to Governor Umashankar Bhargava, Secretary Tribal Cell Jamuna Bhide, Director National Health Mission Ms. Saloni Sidana, Commissioner AYUSH Sanjay Mishra and other senior officials were present in the meeting.