Union Finance Minister has recently announced the Central Government’s plan to launch a mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.
About Sickle cell anaemia –
- It is an inherited blood disorder.
- It affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body.
- People with this disease have atypical haemoglobin molecules called haemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent, shape.
- These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow.
- What causes it?
- The cause of Sickle cell disease is a defective gene, called a sickle cell gene.
- A person will be born with sickle cell disease only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father.
- Symptoms —
- Early stage — Extreme tiredness or fussiness from anemia, painfully swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
- Later stage — Severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections.
- Treatments —
- The only cure for this disease is bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
- However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.
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