A two-day National Workshop on ‘Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Elimination: Best Practices and Scalable Strategies’ was successfully held at the Mayfair Convention, drawing a significant number of over 300 participants.
The valedictory function was graced by notable figures such as Shri Sanjeev Ku Mishra, Principal Secretary of the SSD Department; Dr. Poma Tudu, Director of ST; Dr. Raji N.S., Deputy Secretary of MoTA, GoI; and Dr. Brunda D., MD of NHM, GoO.
The workshop brought together a diverse assembly of senior officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, international delegates, medical experts, and representatives from organizations like UNDP, UNICEF, and ISHBT. Officials from the Tribal Welfare and Health Departments of 10 states affected by sickle cell disease were also in attendance.
Key topics discussed during the workshop included advances in SCD diagnosis, the augmentation of the national SCD elimination program, best practices and scalable strategies, social and behavioral change communications, multi-sectoral approaches, risks and challenges in SCD management, and the future approach for the SCD program in India.
A highlight of the event was the participation of Prof. Isaac Odame, Director of the Haematology Division at the University of Toronto and founder of the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network. Prof. Odame shared insights on the successful implementation and global impact of India’s sickle cell disease mission.
Other distinguished speakers included Prof. Dipty Jain from Nagpur, Prof. Maitreyee Bhattacharya from Kolkata, Prof. Akshat Jain, Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program at Loma Linda University, California, USA, Prof. Tulika Seth from AIIMS, Delhi, Prof. Sunita Reddy, Assistant Professor at JNU, Dr. Bontha V. Babu, Head of the health systems research division at ICMR, Prof. T.K. Dolai, Head of Haematology at NRS Medical College, Kolkata, and Ms. Shobha Tuli, Secretary of Thalassemics India. They discussed major problems and prevention strategies for sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
In addition to the expert discussions, some SCD warriors from various states shared their personal experiences, adding a powerful and inspiring dimension to the workshop.
The event underscored the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative strategies in the fight against sickle cell disease and thalassemia, paving the way for a healthier future.
