Bhopal. A team of health experts from various states paid a courtesy visit to Governor Mangubhai Patel at the Raj Bhavan in a workshop organized under the National Sickle Cell Eradication Mission. Governor Shri Patel emphasized the usefulness of AYUSH medicines for sickle cell disease management. He discussed measures to improve the quality of life of patients. The Governor personally interacted with the representatives of various states and understood the best practices adopted by them in sickle cell management. He appreciated the steps taken by Madhya Pradesh in the management of sickle cell disease.
It is noteworthy that a two-day workshop under the National Sickle Cell Eradication Mission was organized on 23-24 October at Hotel Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Bhopal. Nodal officers of 17 states, health experts and various high-ranking officials of the state participated in the workshop. Additional Secretary and Mission Director Mrs. Aradhana Patnaik discussed future strategies. Additional Secretary Mrs. Patnaik visited Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Dhakna Chakna and Block Public Health Unit located in Raisen district and got to know their functioning.
Understood the functioning of sickle cell management by doing field visit
On the first day, various aspects of management, screening, treatment of sickle cell disease and the status of the disease in tribal communities were discussed in detail. Experts highlighted the current methods of disease management and also discussed the possibilities of innovation in it. The representatives understood the functioning of sickle cell management in the field visit. The team visited Eklavya Model Residential School located at Bavadia Kala, where they observed the sickle cell screening, disease management and counseling process among tribal children.
After this, the team visited the blood bank of Indira Gandhi Bal Chikitsalay and observed automation, component separation and other new technologies. The team visited various units of BMHRC, such as Center of Competence, Emergency Unit and Physiotherapy Unit and got information about the facilities used in the management of sickle cell disease. On the second day, the role of bone marrow transplant, gene therapy and research in the elimination of sickle cell disease was discussed in detail. During this, representatives from various states shared their views.
Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Joint Secretary, Policy, Mr. Saurabh Jain, Director National Health Mission, Mr. Harsh Mangala, Principal Secretary, Public Health and Medical Education Department, Mr. Sandeep Yadav and Mission Director, National Health Mission-Madhya Pradesh, Mrs. Priyanka Das, Mission Directors of National Health Mission of 6 other states and nodal officers and representatives from 17 states were present in the workshop.
