AIIMS Bhubaneswar is set to be designated as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the management and research of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
This announcement was made by the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, during the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day celebration at AIIMS Bhubaneswar today.
In his address at the event, Union Minister Oram emphasised the crucial role AIIMS Bhubaneswar plays in providing comprehensive care to Sickle Cell patients, not only in Odisha but also in neighbouring states. “The Centre of Excellence status will further enhance the capabilities of AIIMS Bhubaneswar in advanced research and high-quality treatment for Sickle Cell Disease,” the Minister stated.
Under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Government of India is committed to eradicating Sickle Cell Anaemia by the year 2047. To date, 5.79 crore people have been screened across the country. Among those, 5.55 crore tested negative, 16.38 lakh have been identified as carriers, and 2.10 lakh have been diagnosed with the disease, according to Shri Oram.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar currently treats over 700 registered Sickle Cell Disease patients, with more than 500 of these patients in the 0–19 age group. The institute provides regular diagnostic services, treatment, and carrier screening, including for extended family members of affected individuals, said Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Dr. Biswas also noted that the institute offers prenatal diagnosis services to detect conditions such as Down syndrome, neural tube defects, thalassemia, and Sickle Cell Anaemia within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. “If both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance that the child may be affected,” he added.
During his visit, Oram toured various facilities of the institute and personally interacted with Sickle Cell Disease patients and their families. He acknowledged AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to affected individuals, particularly from tribal and underserved communities.
The Union Minister also participated in a review meeting and a scientific session focused on Sickle Cell Disease. He praised the institute’s holistic approach, which includes clinical care, advanced research, community outreach, and medical education.
Facilities at AIIMS Bhubaneswar also include exchange transfusion for patients experiencing stroke or undergoing major surgeries. Additionally, newborn screening for genetic metabolic disorders such as Congenital Hypothyroidism and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is actively conducted.
The event was attended by Amit Kumar, IAS; Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, MS; Lt. Col. Abhijit Sarkar, DDA; Santosh Kumar Rath, Deputy Director, SCSTRTI; Ramesh Chand Chandrawal, MoTA; Dr. Sonali Mohapatra, HoD, Dept. of Hematology; Dr. Ashutosh Panigrahi; Dr. Debashis Sahoo; and various faculty members from different departments, among others.
