Gadchiroli June 21 (District Correspondent) “Muskan” is a movement of making the district sickle cell free. This program includes sickle cell screening of all school and out-of-school students aged 6 to 19 years, disease and pre-marriage counselling, regular medication and follow-up for sick students. The aim of this programme is to bring a smile to the face of every sickle cell patient, said ZP CEO Ayushi Singh.
She was speaking at the awareness rally was organized from Indira Gandhi Chowk to Women and Child Hospital to mark the World Sickle Cell Day on Wednesday. The rally was inaugurated by Ms. Ayushi Singh.
District Health Officer Dr. Pratap Shinde, Additional District Health Officer Dr. Amit Salve, Medical Superintendent Dr. Prashant Akhade, Assistant Director Filaria Dr. Sachin Hemke, District Epidemiology Officer Dr. Rupesh Pendam were present on this occasion.
A total of 1530 pregnant women have been screened in the district since October 2023. Among them, 54 women were found to be sickle cell carriers and 17 couples were found to be both carriers and all 17 such women were tested for amniocentesis, it was informed.
Everyone should get sickle cell checkup before marriage. A patient support group should be established at the sub-centre level so that all sickle cell carriers and patients are followed up for regular medical and health check-up and counselling. The district health department is keen to ensure that no new patients of sickle cell occur in the district and that existing patients get regular health care, said Dr. Pratap Shinde. NGO PATH is working with the Health Department to implement these programs and to monitor the program, he added.
Principal Uttam Khante, Ms. Neha Olakh, District Nodal Officer Dr. Pankaj Hemke, Path Sanstha Project Officer Dr. Narendra Kumbhare, Sickle Cell Coordinator Arachna Fulzele were present on this occasion.
The students of Sri Sai Institute of Nursing and Medical Science and General Hospital Nursing Training Center participated in the rally. Asha workers spread awareness about sickle cell through banners and posters. The importance of rally in public awareness was told to the attendees. Dr. Prashant Akhade, Medical Superintendent, District Women and Child Hospital guided all those present about sickle cell disease.
Atotal of 31 sickle cell patients were tested for CBC, LFT, KFT and hydroxyurea medicine was given to them. They were also counselled about sickle cell disease.
