World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

News:

2023 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day observed.

What:

• An international day to create awareness of sickle cell disease.
  • It is a genetic disorder in which the RBCs (red blood cells) acquire a sickle-like or crescent shape, leading to blockage of blood vessels.
  • It is a monogenic disease i.e. the condition arises from mutation on a single gene.

Significance:

• India has the 2^nd biggest burden of sickle cell disease.
• It especially affects Scheduled Tribes and other socially and economically marginalized people.

How:

• 2023 day observed on the theme of ‘building and strengthening global sickle cell communities, formalizing newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status’. This means:
  • Steps to understand the genotype associated with the condition.
  • Utilization of advanced technologies to identify the sickle cell disease status.

When:

• Observed on June 19^th.
• On 22^nd December 2008, the UNGA adopted a resolution to recognize the disease as a public health hazard.

Facts:

• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, is responsible for the development agenda of Persons with Disabilities.