Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program (A Major Tribal Health Program of Gujarat)

1. Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program(A Major Tribal Health Program of Gujarat) Health & Family Welfare Department Gandhinagar, Gujarat Presentation by : Anju Sharma IAS Mission Director (NRHM) Government of Gujarat

2. Introduction • India has the highest number of Sickle gene carriers in the world, >50% of the world. • Most of tribal belt in India being an endemic area for Malaria, the people living in tribal area are affected by Sickle Cell Anemia. • However, no attempts have been made so far to address the issue related to the disease so far at the national level.

3. Introduction • Sickle Cell Anemia is a major health problem in tribal Gujarat. • A hereditary disease caused by mutant recessive gene • All 12 Tribal districts are involved in Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program 3

4. * Provisional

5. Public Health concern: If left untreated – • 20% of Sickle disease children die by the age of two. • As per one of the ICMR survey 30% of disease children among the tribal community die before they reach adulthood. • Even if they survive, life time risk of disease remains same. • Being genetic in nature, the numbers are bound to rise, if suitable intervention is not made.

6. Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program – Gujarat Initiative Initiative:In the year 2006, the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat initiated a Public Private Partnership - Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program in 5 districts of south Gujarat. Now by 2010-11, it has been extended to all 12 tribal districts of Gujarat and Gujarat Sickle Cell Anemia Control Society has been formed under society registration act 21 of 1860. 6

7. GOALS: • No Sickle Cell Disease childbirth by 2020. • Prevention of death from Sickle Cell Crisis. • To improve health status and quality of life of Sickle Cell Anemia patients.

8. Patho-physiology of Sickle Cell Anemia Patho -physiology of Sickle Cell Anemia Pallor Frequent jaundice Bone & Body ache Enlarged Spleen Retarded Growth Frequent Infections Dactylitis (Hand-Foot Syndrome) Treatment trough Folic Acid, Analgesic Antibiotic, Anti helminthes Anti Pyretic, Iron for short duration Anti Malarial if necessary Hydroxyurea & Blood Transfusion in crisis.

9. Strategies: • Timely diagnosis through large scale screening with the help of specialized laboratory tests. • Prevention of Sickle disease child birth through adolescent screening, marriage counseling, antenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis. • Better management of disease through supportive treatment, follow up and counseling to reduce morbidity and mortality. • Reduction in crisis episodes. • Saving Lives through referral treatment and specialized hospital care. • Building Community Awareness and sensitization of the population through interpersonal communication. • Training and capacity building of health service providers.

10. Screening Approach Adopted in Program

11. Institutions involved in the program 11

12. Facilities made available 12

13. Progress of screened person till June-2011

14. Screening Output - I **Up To June, 2011**

15. Screening Output - II **Up to June, 2011**

16. Screening Output - III **Up To June, 2011**

17. Screening Output - IV Both the parent have Sickle gene. Rest of the 58 % High Risk Couple were not eligible for Prenatal Diagnosis as they were registered for ANC after 20 weeks of Pregnancy, Hence not eligible for Termination of Pregnancy; even if fetus is Sickle Disease. Steps are being taken for early registration of ANC cases. * Result awaited (1)+ procedure fail (2) PND Couple ** Up To June, 2011** 17

18. Screening Output - V All 33 Sickle Disease patient were registered for comprehensive care under the Sickle cell program. Their Parents were provided counseling for care of their children at home as well as both the parents blood were tested and counseled for future pregnancy. **Up to June, 2011** 18

19. Marriage Counseling Using Laminated Color Coded Cards Normal Haemoglobin Card Sickle Trait Card Sickle Disease Card Laminated color coded cards are given to all screened persons. These color coded cards are further used for marriage counseling.

20. Treatment Outputs • 10,961 Sickle disease patients are given monthly quota of Tab. Folic acid and painkillers for daily use, by field health workers. • 57 patients are on Hydroxyurea, given to severe disease patients. • 1675 sickle crisis patients have been given treatment in year 2010. • 1531 blood transfusion were given to sickle disease patients free of cost in 2010.

21. Other Activities Established network of counseling centers in tribal blocks. Established mechanism for referral and management of Sickle cell crisis patients. Capacity building and training of MPHWs, ANMs, Village Health and Sanitation Committees and PRI representatives. Targeted IEC and BCC Creation of database and regular reporting and monitoring Logistics and inventory management of drugs. Teacher counselling- Students having Sickle Cell Disease have been exempted from physical training and allowed to go to urinals frequently without asking permission.

23. Outcomes Many Sickle cell patients are now able to lead normal lives. Mortality and morbidity due to the disease has reduced. As per survey in 500 sickle cell disease patients, number of crisis has decreased from 2-3 per year to 1 per year in tribal districts. Counseling of 17,613 sickle positive adolescents and for marriage and future pregnancy. Thousands of marriages between sicklers have been avoided in the Tribal Community. Prevented birth of many sickle Cell Diseased children including 7 through PNDT. Mass Awareness about the disease.

24. Socio Economic Impact Before Sickle Cell Disease was in books and academic research papers. NOW The Common Tribal People are most benefited. Today they get regular free medicine at their door step, hence there is marked reduction in crisis. Today they have better Life Span & Functional Status than before. The Fruits of the Program have reached to the door step of Under-served– The Tribal People. 24

25. Impact on Medical Services Before The Medical Practitioners were not aware of sickle phenomena existing among local public. Most of Sickle Disease patients were misdiagnosed and mistreated. Even if Sickle cell was diagnosed, they believed that this is a genetic disease, there is no cure & nothing can be done. Now Awareness among Medical Practitioners has increased dramatically in respect to Diagnosis & Treatment. Marriage counseling, Antenatal Screening and Prenatal Diagnosis are being advised by medical doctors. 25

26. Extraordinary Features of the program • Reached to the doorstep of most vulnerable tribal population-14,51,936. • Reduction in the hardship and arresting productivity loss of tribals. • Lifecycle approach. • Active involvement of NGOs. • Community involvement. • Capacity building of both Government and NGO staff. • Utilization of National and International expertise (ICMR & SCDIO)-Knowledge Sharing, Technical support • Application of modern techniques and research in the field situations - Stem cell research etc.

27. Sustainability: • Though the program initially started with NGO participation, it has been now been integrated with the general health services through training and capacity building of the government service providers. • Program approach gives wider reach and long term focus. • Demand generation from the community due to their sensitization and awareness building. • Training and capacity building of private service providers. • Mass support to the program.

28. Replication of the Program at National level • Taking up a National Program for Sickle Cell Anemia Control. • Components: • Population screening for tribal areas through a life cycle approach • Color Coded Laminated Cards to all the screened beneficiaries. • Training & Capacity building of service providers in screening, disease management and supportive care • Free treatment including blood transfusion to all the sicklers. • Genetic counseling, patient counseling and sensitisation of the community, family, etc. • Community awareness through Mass based campaigns. • Involvement of community & NGOs for better community reach. • Medical education & research in Sickle Cell Anemia.

29. Our Indian Sicklers are Born with Pain Live with Pain & Die with Pain. They hardly Complain. Thank you very much for paying attention to our SICKLERS. 29