During a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chhattisgarh Sickle Cell Institute on Monday at Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College in Raipur, the states health minister, T.S. Singhdeo, instructed all of the states districts and public medical schools to open sickle cell testing and counseling centers.

An official medical release stated that the health department authorities had been given until October 2, 2022, to complete everything from providing the required training to the staff members designated for testing and counseling to hiring doctors through walk-in interviews.

The meeting also approved hiring candidates for five clerk-computer operator positions, five resident doctor positions, and three general duty medical officer (GDMO) positions. The organization of the Board of Directors bimonthly meetings has been directed to other officials.

Singhdeo further added that the tribal populations with low access to medical care should be targeted in particular for screening sickle cell patients. The entire patients family should be checked as well, and if a diagnosis is made, they should all continue receiving treatment.

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease that causes red blood cells to take on the shape of a sickle, which reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen and results in anaemia. Patients have too much pain and distress, and blood transfusions are required frequently. Several dignitaries attended the gathering.  (Times of India, Sep 7, 2022)