CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: At Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC), complete screening and treatment for sickle cell disease will now be available. The central government has designated BMHRC as a Centre of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia. This is the first such institution in Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Manisha Srivastava, in-charge of the competency center and acting director of BMHRC, shared that the central government had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission on June 27, 2023, in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district. Under this mission, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs decided to establish a Sickle Cell Anaemia Competency Center at BMHRC. Dr. Srivastava expressed joy and pride that the central government selected BMHRC for this critical task.
She further explained that the competency center would be free of charge for sickle cell patients. Screening work has already started at the center, and all necessary equipment has been installed. Soon, there will be a separate OPD for sickle cell patients, where doctors from the Transfusion Medicine Department will provide consultations. Clinical hematologists and pediatricians will be available for the treatment of patients and their families. Patients will also receive counseling. Those suffering from pain will be treated at the pain clinic, and patients with stiffness in their limbs will have access to physiotherapy. If needed, patients can be admitted to the hospital, as a separate six-bed sickle cell ward has been prepared. Free medication will also be provided. Dr. Srivastava mentioned that BMHRC will serve as a referral center for 12 districts of Madhya Pradesh for sickle cell disease. Health centers and district hospitals in these districts will refer patients to BMHRC for screening and treatment.
Telemedicine Center to be Launched: A telemedicine center will soon be launched at the Sickle Cell Anaemia Competency Center. A phone number will be provided, allowing anyone affected by sickle cell disease to call and receive advice about their condition. Additionally, doctors at health centers and district hospitals will be able to call the telemedicine center for consultation regarding patient treatment.
17-State Team Visits to Learn Center Management: To achieve the goals of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission, nodal officers from 17 states visited BMHRC’s Sickle Cell Anaemia Competency Center for training. They observed the center and learned about its management. The delegation also toured the molecular lab, genetic lab, sickle cell ward, physiotherapy department, and other facilities, praising BMHRC’s efforts toward eradicating sickle cell disease.
The delegation included Saurabh Jain, Joint Director of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health; Harsh Mangla, Director at the Ministry of Health; Priyanka Das, MD of National Health Mission (NHM) Madhya Pradesh; Pinky Jowel, MD of NHM Uttar Pradesh; Vinay Goyal, MD of NHM Kerala; and Bharti Dixit, MD of NHM Rajasthan, among other officials.
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